shaping our environment
Wyong Shire Council SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 2011/12 creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT For additional information contact: Wyong Shire Council PO Box 20 WYONG NSW 2259 T (02) 4350 5555 E [email protected] Draft version October 2012 (c) Wyong Shire Council Design & Print Shaping Our Environment Report is completed under Section 428(2)(C) of the Local Government Act 1993, and Section 217(2) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
taking shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Contents of Report
Introduction Climate Change
About this report 89 Climate Change 130 Sustainablity in Action 90 Records Tumble 130 Sustainability in Wyong 92 Improving Council’s culture of Sustainablity 93 Energy Building the right new assets 94 Current and future Challenges 94 Energy 134 Clean Energy Future 135 Council’s Electricity Consumption 136 Land Council’s Greenhouse Impact 136 Highlands and Valleys 96 Coastal Lowlands and Floodplains 97 Waste & Resources Recovery Coastline and Wallarah Penisula 98 Waste & Resources Recovery 140 Council Waste 141
Catchment Management Cultural Heritage Lakes 102 Cultural Heritage 146 Creeks & Rivers 105 Aboriginal Heritage 146 Wetlands 107 Non Aboriginal Heritage 146 Oceans 108 Noise Biodiversity Noise 149 Biodiversity 112
Volunteers make a real difference to biodiversity 118 Fire trail upgrade improves safety in Community Strategic the vallyes 120 Plan Outcomes
Air Quality Outcomes 151
Air Quality 124 Air Pollution and Health: Key Facts 126
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 87 INTRODUCTION
taking 88 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Introduction
Information and expertise within Council, About this Report Structure of the state government agencies and private industry have been drawn upon to Under the provisions of the NSW Local Report support this document. Government Act 1993 Wyong Shire The document has been structured Council is required to prepare an annual The state rating table that appears at around ten major themes: Sustainability, State of the Environment Report (SoE) the beginning of each chapter provides Land, Catchment Management, This report covers the period 1 July 2011 a condition rating for the current and Biodiversity, Air Quality, Climate Change, to 30 June 2012 and provides: previous two reporting periods. The Energy, Waste Management, Heritage effectiveness of past responses to key • an evaluation of the current condition and Noise. These themes align with those driving pressures can be determined from of the Shire covered in previous reports. Changes to the state rating trend. this format are likely in coming years as • the key driving pressures which can this is the final year of transition to the The SoE report forms part of the feedback affect the local environment and new Integrated Planning and Reporting responses to these pressures loop to assess whether our community framework. is moving towards its 20-year vision, as • the predicted trend for the future outlined in the Community Strategic Plan – based on the key drivers and the Each of the ten major themes in the SoE adopted in June 2011. A table outlining response undertaken are reported on under the following the Community Strategic Plan objectives headings. and how Council is working towards them Some of the key driving pressures facing is at the back of this report on page 67. our environment arise from past decisions At a Glance – An overview of that have left an ongoing legacy of the issue and the current state impact. In addition, our changing climate and growing population confront us with Current State – Assessment of a new variety of challenges. Fortunately, the issue (as declining, stable or there is evidence that we have the means improving) to disconnect, at least to some degree, the relationship between growth and Key Drivers – The pressures environmental impact. More people and impacting the issue more economic activity may mean more resource use, but the actual impact on the environment depends on where and how Response – What is being done the growth occurs, and how we live our to address the issue/drivers lives.
Future Trends – Assessment of the likely state of the issue given the response
References – Additional information sources on the issue
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 89 Sustainability in Action 2011/12
Sustainability is best defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Our Common Future, Brundtland Commission 1987).
Ultimately, sustainability for the practice. It is important to note that Council is about doing things better Council uses a broad definition of and improving our environment, sustainability, encompassing much more community, economic performance than only ecological or environmental and governance. Council has a pivotal considerations. role to play in protecting the things and places our community values, The principles are a key part of Council’s providing essential services and helping endeavour to improve sustainability shape our way of living, for now and for across our organisation and within future generations. We are committed our community and were created to to creating and supporting a culture guide everything from planning and of sustainability in Council and the development decisions to every-day community. on-ground actions. The six sustainability principles are key to Wyong’s future Council has adopted a set of six key vision as outlined in the Community sustainability principles. These have Strategic Plan (2030). been created by staff with community input and are based on what we value Council’s Sustainability Principles are: and were benchmarked against national and international principles to ensure they were up to date with current best
Think holistically. Good processes. Care for nature. Act responsibly. Improved outcomes.
A sustainable Wyong Shire recognises A sustainable Wyong Shire A sustainable Wyong Shire recognises that people, nature and the demonstrates leadership, the intrinsic value of biodiversity and economy are affected by our actions. accountability, transparency and natural ecosystems, protecting the We plan for the long-term and financial responsibility in all decision environment for the benefit of all life recognise shorter term needs. making. forms.
We integrate these considerations into We measure our prosperity by the We commit to the sustainable use of our decision making, working with the health and wellbeing of our people, natural resources to maintain healthy forms and functions of the natural environment and economy and ecological systems for the benefit of environment and with our social and strive for continuous improvement. present and future generations. economic attributes as the basis of our planning and development.
taking 90 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Riparian workshop for community volunteers
Care for nature. Smart, local, adaptable. Lead by example. Work together.
A sustainable Wyong Shire leads by A sustainable Wyong Shire community A sustainable Wyong Shire responds example with actions for positive builds partnerships by engaging with to future challenges by embracing change and supports visionary policies and listening to all facets of society, innovation and acting timely and and practices within the community. working together for the benefit of the effectively. whole. We involve people with the relevant skills We base our actions locally, mindful of and knowledge in our projects and We have a culture of collaboration and our place in the world, building on our recognise there are many ways to achieve participation that encourages innovation, strengths and special qualities of place our goals. We embrace the opportunity sharing of resources, engagement and community. to learn from our actions and the in decision making and shared actions of others. accountability for all results.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 91 Sustainability at Wyong Shire Council
Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility. For example, in 2011/2012 Council • Implemented a range of innovative However, Council has a leadership role celebrated the following sustainability sustainability education and in helping improve our understanding achievements: engagement trials and leadership of sustainability and to provide good programs for Council staff to examples of how to act more sustainably, • Completed the award winning improve Council’s performance and and inspire others to do likewise. Mardi-Mangrove Link Project, a key culture of sustainability. element in the region’s long-term • Further embedded sustainability The organisational performance of water supply. into key areas of Council through Council is pivotal in setting a good • Developed an internationally improved policy development, example for the rest of the community. recognised and top ten ranked decision making tools and staff This means that current practices should approach to asset management induction. not lead to a reduction in environmental, determining asset and project • Continued implementation of economic and social values, and should alignment to achieve quadruple ongoing sustainability initiatives enhance the total quality of life now and bottom line evaluation. outlined in previous State of the into the future. • Launched and achieved outstanding Shire reports. results for the Tuggerah Lakes • Developed a stringent Environmental Sustainability at Wyong 2011/12 Estuary Management Plan stage 2, Management System (EMS) with the including a dedicated website Love aim of establishing best practice in Over the past 12 months Council has our Living Lakes. environmental protection. continued to work towards transforming • Continued its multi-pronged • Improved the customer experience its attitudes, practices, governance and progress with Gosford City Council with e-lodgement for applications, culture to enable it to deliver services and on the formation of Central Coast streamlined complaint management, projects to the Wyong Shire community in Water Corporation. and rollout of Resident ePanel and thoughtful, efficient and innovative ways. • Delivered a record year for road online Consultation Hub. improvements and footpath • Facilitated community workshops for By working towards a whole of council construction using innovative residents on sustainability practices approach to sustainability Council sustainable designs. such as composting, worm farming activities are increasingly being measured • Doubled the capacity of the and chook rearing. against a ‘quadruple bottom line’. In Buttonderry Waste Management • Funded the implementation using economic, environmental, social facility methane extraction program. of projects delivering reduced and governance criteria to make its • Prepared Town Centre Masterplans, a emissions equal to or greater than decisions, Council continues to improve Natural Area Bush Fire Management the green energy equivalent that its operations to function in a more plan, a Learning Communities could be sourced through Council’s sustainable, holistic and integrated way Strategy, a Community Facilities Green Energy Fund. that meets community priorities. Strategy, a Playground Strategy, and • Transformed a former landfill site an Engagement Framework and to a first grade sporting complex Strategy. at Bateau Bay, rebuilt Shelly Beach • Delivered innovative community and Soldiers Beach Surf Clubs, and development programs such as constructed the Hamlyn Terrace a Social and Creative Enterprise Sports and Community Centre. program, and an Indigenous Wellbeing program.
taking 92 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Improving Council’s culture of Sustainability
Council’s CEEchange project ‘Working • Staff being exposed to multiple Sustainably’ focussed on trialling perspectives from across the Community Education and Engagement different Council business areas (CEE) activities to help Council staff better understand and apply sustainability in • A number of participants reported order to embed sustainability principles they have modified their thinking into Council operations. and behaviour e.g. switching off lights, planting native trees, The education and engagement activities recycling, replacement of air undertaken in 2011/12 included: conditioning system with a more • Awareness raising and education for sustainable system, replacement of sustainability (all staff) taps, planning for solar panels on community centres, replacement • Working Sustainably LEGO Serious of cleaning products with green Play™ workshops (pilot engaging products, buying local, increased 13% of all staff) use of the Swap Station (office • Collaborative network building for equipment recycling) Council’s collaborative network, the • Participants made a wide range S-Team of personal commitments to I’m looking forward • Staff training in sustainability, sustainability to learning new leadership, management, and Independent research (including staff skills, particularly in induction for new staff focus groups, longitudinal staff surveys, change management • Developing cross-organisational interviews etc) contributed to rigorous and sustainability evaluation of the trials, which produced strategic partnerships and alliances leadership. This training between Units positive results and valuable findings for future sustainability work at Council. will help me become a The ‘Working Sustainably’ trials provided driver for sustainable significant value to Council and change within Council demonstrated the role that education and our community. and engagement can play towards I’m looking forward driving and improving Council’s culture to providing my Kurt. of sustainability, performance and input to growing outcomes (including efficiencies and cost the Sustainability savings). The staff workshops using the movement at Council Pictured: Tabitha Kuypers, LEGO Serious Play methodology were and throughout Kurt Sorensen, Alex Beavis and particularly successful with identified Michael Neville. outcomes including: Wyong Shire. Alex.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 93 Building the right new assets Snapshot of Rating
In 2011 a new model for project assessment was adopted by The following tables provide a summary of the current ratings reported Council — one that has been regarded by many as the ‘gold in previous State of Environment Reports versus 2011/12 ratings. standard’ of holistic planning. Section 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 One of the key questions leading to the development of this Highlands and Valleys Stable Stable Stable new approach to asset management was how the Council could deliver better projects — meeting the needs of the Coastal Lowlands and Declining Declining Declining Floodplains people of Wyong more effectively, performing better financially and environmentally and using a best-practice approach to Coastline and Wallarah Declining Declining Declining Peninsula governance. Clever planning and thoughtful decision-making Lakes Stable Stable Stable was the priority. Creeks and Rivers Stable Stable Improving All new projects are now rated by an interdisciplinary Project Wetlands Declining Declining Declining Assessment Team (PAT), according to a quadruple index of Oceans Stable Stable Stable factors. Council derived these factors from its community Biodiversity Declining Declining Declining strategic vision: Air Quality Declining Declining Stable • economic viability Climate Change Declining Declining Declining • community benefit Energy Declining Declining Declining • environmental impact Waste Stable Stable Stable • governance Non-Aboriginal Stable Stable Stable Heritage Each proposed project now receives a ‘score’ and a unique Aboriginal Heritage NR NR Declining quadratic graph, enabling teams to make quick judgments Noise Data Data Data about a project’s sustainability and value to the community. Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable The interdisciplinary nature of the PAT means that projects receive a rigorous evaluation, which takes into account Year Improving Stable Declining perspectives from the range of council management areas. 2011/12 1 6 7 2010/11 0 6 7 The result? Robust project management, diversity of staff engagement in the project process and, most importantly, 2009/11 0 6 7 community confidence — that only the right projects are built at the right time and in the right way. Current and future Challenges
While some improvements have been made, there is always more that can be done to improve quality of life in the Shire and, in turn be more sustainable. Future efforts to further improve the sustainability of Wyong Shire Council will include:
• Roll out of Council’s Environmental Management System (EMS). • Organisational focus on expanding the current target and indicator set for measuring Council’s progress towards sustainability. • Implementation of a whole-of-council sustainability policy and strategy to enhance Council performance. • Community education and engagement continued with residents, businesses and all Council staff.
The Quadruple Bottom Line
taking 94 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Section 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Highlands and Valleys Stable Stable Stable Coastal Lowlands and Declining Declining Declining Floodplains Coastline and Wallarah Declining Declining Declining Peninsula Lakes Stable Stable Stable Creeks and Rivers Stable Stable Improving Wetlands Declining Declining Declining Oceans Stable Stable Stable Biodiversity Declining Declining Declining Air Quality Declining Declining Stable Climate Change Declining Declining Declining Energy Declining Declining Declining Waste Stable Stable Stable Non-Aboriginal Stable Stable Stable Heritage Aboriginal Heritage NR NR Declining Noise Data Data Data Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
Year Improving Stable Declining 2011/12 1 6 7 2010/11 0 6 7 2009/11 0 6 7
LAND
Pioneer Dairy open day
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 95 Land AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Land management issues are divided into six major landscape regions, namely highlands and valleys; coastal lowland and floodplains; coastline and the Wallarah Peninsula. Each has its own distinct issues, pressures and responses.
Highlands and Valleys
The highlands are the areas in the by the Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture Council and the community will have south and west of the Shire which form (WACJV) for a proposed underground the opportunity to review and provide higher hills and plateaus. Large areas coal mine known as the Wallarah 2 Coal comments on the amended “Wallarah are protected by State Forest (Ourimbah Project. WACJV proposed to extract No.2” project application once it is placed and Wyong) and Conservation Lands. coal from under the Dooralong and on exhibition, which is expected to occur There are also farms and orchards around Yarramalong Valleys using longwall in late 2012. Kulnura, and rural residential areas around mining techniques. The Minister for Glenning Valley and Fountaindale. Planning formally refused the application The Regulation and Compliance section on 3 March 2011, citing uncertainty of: of Council recorded the following The valleys are primarily the areas west - Subsidence predictions; pollution complaints regarding land/ of the F3 Freeway on either side of the - Surface water quality impacts; property. The type of pollution is not freshwater sections of Ourimbah Creek, - Ecological impacts; and identified. Wyong River and Jilliby Creek. The valleys - Heritage impacts. include the water supply catchment for the Shire’s drinking water and the site of WACJV are in the process of undertaking Number of pollution complaints the proposed Wallarah 2 Coal Project. additional studies to accompany a 2006/07 132 new application which is planned for 2007/08 99 lodgement in late 2012. It is anticipated 2008/09 71 that, once lodged, the assessment 2009/10 70 process would take approximately 12 2010/11 179 months and involve further community 2011/12 112 State Rating consultation. 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Stable Stable Stable
At least 65% of Wyong Shire soils continue to be protected by some form of native bushland cover including State Pressures in the highlands and valleys Continuing streambank rehabilitation Forests, National Parks and natural include: works for the upper Wyong River and bushland; with many of these areas • Sedimentation Ourimbah Creek will see an improved occurring in the valleys and highlands. It • Soil and streambank erosion (due to catchment quality. The Department of is in these and other vegetated areas such clearing and domestic stock intrusion) Planning and Infrastructure’s Central as wetlands and restored stream banks • Fertilizer, sewerage and chemical Coast Regional Strategy seeks to protect where valley soils are not declining. pollution of creeks Wyong Shire’s environmental values • Grazing and farming practices (such as through limiting future development The Central Coast Regional Strategy chicken or turf farms) west of the F3 Freeway. A coal mine in the (2008 - 2031) limits expansion of the • Mining (gas and coal resources) sensitive valleys catchment may result in a urban footprint by protecting land west very different future scenario. of the F3 Freeway from further residential development until after 2031. This REFERENCES will help to protect the region’s water supply catchment from inappropriate http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/ development. Wyong Shire Council, in conjunction index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=2150 with rural landowners, local Landcare http://www.wallarah.com.au/ In spite of this, in November 2007, a Part groups and with funding from the Federal 3A Project Application was lodged with Government’s Caring for Our Country the then Department of Planning (DoP) grant, rehabilitated 2.39 km of degraded streambanks in the water supply catchment area during 2011/12. taking 96 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Wyong Shire Structure Plan is expected In particular, it requested that the Middle Coastal Lowlands to accommodate some 19,500 dwellings Camp residential area be excluded from (16,500 dwellings in greenfield and 3,000 the NSW Housing Code to ensure future and Floodplains within the Warnervale Town Centre). development is compatible with the adjacent State heritage listed Catherine The coastal floodplains surround the The rezoning of the Coal and Allied Hill Bay Cultural Precinct. Additionally, lower estuarine parts of Wyong River, sites at Nords Wharf, Middle Camp following the PAC advice, houses at Tumbi Creek, Ourimbah Creek and and Gwandalan in the Wyong and Lake Middle Camp associated with the former Wallarah Creek and the lowlands are the Macquarie Council areas were approved mining operations were listed as local rolling hills which surround the floodplain. by the NSW Government in April 2012. heritage items. Coal and Allied is also They include the expanding suburbs to The rezoning is expected to lead to the currently seeking concept plan approval the west and north of Tuggerah Lakes development of 935 dwellings across for residential development across the such as Mardi, Wyong, Watanobbi, 100 hectares of land, comprising of 90 three sites. The PAC will be the consent Wadalba, Warnervale, Woongarrah, dwellings at Nords Wharf, 222 dwellings authority for this proposal. Hamyln Terrace, Halloran, Kanwal, at Middle Camp and 623 dwellings at Gorokan, Charmhaven, Blue Haven, San Gwandalan, subject to development Remo and Doyalson. The Warnervale application approval. It will also trigger Town Centre and Wyong Employment the transfer of approximately 848 Zone are situated within the lowlands. hectares of high conservation value lands • Development pressures that continue to the NSW Government to be reserved to cause a steady loss of soils and as national parks. Key threatened species, bushland in the lowland and floodplain populations and ecological communities areas will be protected as a result of the • Fragmentation of Ecological State Rating rezoning, including significant areas of Endangered Communities by development 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 the following endangered ecological • Altered and increasing stormwater Declining Declining Declining communities: Swamp Mahogany – Paperbark Forest, Riparian Melaleuca flows that threaten natural wetlands and streams Previous State of the Shire reports have Swamp Woodland, Narrabeen Foreshore Redgum – Ironbark Forest. • Changes to environmental policy and indicated increasing pressures on the legislation that will provide stronger coastal lowlands and floodplains, a controls over threatened vegetation trend that has continued into 2011/12. Rezoning proposals for the three sites had to be withdrawn and then re-lodged The most significant areas of impact are on soils presently located within these in 2010 after the Land and Environment landscape regions due to development Court found the use of “memorandums in the catchment of the floodplains. of understanding” between the former Ongoing subdivision of lowland Minister for Planning and proponent were invalid. Since that time, the rezonings and Council Actions and Programs greenfield areas causes a steady loss of undertaken: their soils and bushland. Large areas of associated planning agreements (which outline State infrastructure funding and the lowlands are and will continue to be • Draft Development Control Plan - developed in the future. conservation land arrangements) have been re-exhibited and the planning The DCP will provide planning and development controls to protect all Past management practices and agreements signed ahead of the rezoning. The planning agreements waterways and waterbodies such as increasing stormwater inputs from new wetlands, within in the Shire. suburbs have altered the wetting and deliver State infrastructure contributions to help fund facilities including Pacific • Draft Development Control Plan - drying cycles of many natural wetlands Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and creeks. The impacts of hydrological Highway intersection upgrades, the Gwandalan Public School expansion and is in the final stages of development, changes include loss of biodiversity, with all appropriate departments deposition of silt, altered groundwater a new emergency services facility for the South Wallarah Peninsula. These final within Council consulted throughout recharge, weed invasion and loss of its development. floodplain flood mitigation capacity. planning agreements are available at http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov. • Porters Creek Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Scheme which The Department of Planning and au. The Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) recommended the rezoning be will incorporate significant stormwater Infrastructure are currently working on the harvesting from the Porter’s Creek North Wyong Shire Structure Plan, which approved, subject to minor changes that have been adopted. catchment, and re-use within the will be the focus of future greenfield Porters Creek and Wyong River development in Wyong Shire. The North catchments.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 97 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
• The final Lower Wyong River removing pollutants from stormwater recreational impact, stormwater impacts, Floodplain Risk Management Study with the information feeding back into erosion and coastal recession and the and Plan is complete and is awaiting to improved design. invasion of weeds such as Bitou Bush. The be considered and adopted by Council. • Estuary Management Plan issues of coastal erosion and recession • The Porters Creek Floodplain Risk Implementation continued (see Water are predicted to increase in future years Management Study and Plan is and Catchment Management for due to the impacts of climate change. currently underway as part of this further details on these actions). Coupled with the level and location of study, the Porters Creek Flood Study existing development along the Shire’s which was completed in July 2009 was coast, rising sea levels will result in revised with additional information, increased vulnerability over time. including recent large scale developments in the catchment. While the response to the pressures Properties at coastal erosion hotspots, • The draft Lower Ourimbah Creek on these areas is improving there is such as Cabbage Tree Harbour, The Floodplain Risk Management Study still considerable scope for protecting Entrance North and Hargraves Beach, and Plan has been completed and is bushland and floodplains through an are at ongoing risk of coastal hazards, awaiting Council approval for public integrated approach which combines including slope instability, coastal exhibition. conservation and catchment water cycle erosion and coastal inundation. Council • A preliminary draft of the Tumbi Umbi planning. announced (in February 2008) its Creek Floodplain Risk Management intention to build a toe drainage structure Study and Plan has been completed The silting of Tumbi Creek (that has been to stabilise the bluff behind residents’ with Council currently reviewing and reported in previous years) is indicative homes as a result of coastal erosion that editing the draft report. of what is occurring in other catchments had occurred at Cabbage Tree Harbour in • The Tuggerah Lakes Floodplain Risk within the Shire. This can be expected the June 2007 storm event. Construction Management Study and Plan is to continue in the future with continued commenced in May 2012 and has now currently underway. Consultations development, especially if management been completed (August 2011). Council with appropriate departments within practices continue to focus on the resolved a shared funding arrangement Council have been held during the symptoms rather than the causes of of approximately $1.95 million with the initial development of the study and environmental problems. Office of Environment and Heritage plan. (OEH). To date the Toe Drainage Structure • Other Floodplain Risk Management has been successful in reducing slope Studies and Plans for particular Coastline and stability issues. By armouring the toe catchments in the Shire will be of the slope, the toe drainage structure prepared in the near future. These are Wallarah Peninsula reduces undercutting from wave attack dependent on State and Federal Grant and also addresses drainage issues by funding. These studies will update Wyong Shire’s coastline is the narrow trapping fine sediments that are at risk of Council flood studies and information strip of rocky headlands, beaches erosion from groundwater discharge. that are over 10 or 20 years old. and connecting sand dunes between • Constructed wetlands (and the ocean and Tuggerah Lakes. The monitoring): Council currently coastline has the highest percentage of maintains 16ha of constructed conservation land of any area of the Shire. wetlands represented by 25 sites across The Wallarah Peninsula extends to the • Increasing pressure from population the Shire at a cost of $140,000 per northern boundary of the Shire and into growth and resultant development annum. The primary purpose of the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area. • Climate change predicts rising sea wetlands is to improve water quality for levels and an increase in severe receiving environments downstream. weather events leading to a The number of constructed wetlands heightened risk of coastline erosion in the Shire is planned to grow and coastal recession significantly over the coming years State Rating • Existing development subject to with the implementation of Water increased vulnerability to erosion over 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Sensitive Urban Design Principles. An time Declining Declining Declining intensive monitoring program is being undertaken by Council to determine Overall the quality of the coastal lands how effectively these devices are at are slowly declining due to ongoing residential and resort development,
taking 98 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Council has recently prepared a Coastal The Coastline and Wallarah Peninsula Zone Management Plan (CZMP), which Entrance Channel Coastal will continue to be placed under was adopted in December 2011 following Monitoring Camera development pressure due to population extensive community consultation. The growth, the number and type of Plan examines coastal erosion hazards Council recently resolved to proceed rezonings that occur which could have now, and into the future, in accordance with the installation of a new coastal a significant impact on this area. The with the State Government’s sea level rise environmental monitoring camera at recently adopted CZMP includes a benchmarks of 0.4m by 2050 and 0.9m The Entrance Channel. The camera was land use planning framework for areas by 2100. The Plan incorporates a full installed by CoastalCOMS at the Tasman affected by coastal hazards. Development study of the coastline for environmental, Towers high rise on 1 June 2012. controls for properties within 2100, 2050 social and economic issues and develops and immediate coastal hazard zones aims action plans that incorporate a range of For many years significant resources to limit inappropriate development in planning, management and construction have been invested into managing North affected areas. options. Since the adoption of the Plan, Entrance Beach and the Entrance Channel draft amendments to relevant chapters in through channel dredging programs, Future predictions of sea level rise Council’s LEP and DCP documents have beach nourishment, dune restoration, sea and increased storm activity due to been developed in accordance with the bird monitoring, surf life saving and other climate change suggest there is a risk Coastal Zone Management Plan. These programs. Data provided by the camera of continued and increased erosion of chapters will likely be available for public will assist in developing better knowledge the dune and bluff systems in years to exhibition in late 2012. and understanding of site specific coastal come. As this occurs it will potentially dynamics, which will prove useful for: result in a significant number of Council continues to support Coastcare • Floodplain, Estuary and Coastal properties being adversely affected, and Dunecare groups who undertake Management many so much so that they will become valuable dune protection and bush • Dredge operations uninhabitable. The CZMP incorporates regeneration works supported by • Surf Life Saving (the location is the precautionary principle and Councils Landcare program. Six volunteer nationally recognised as a Coastal recommends the sustainable policy of groups located in Budgewoi, Noraville, Black Spot for drowning) managed retreat with adaptation and Norah Head and The Entrance North are • Coastal development risk assessment protection measures where possible restoring approximately 100ha of dune (coastal erosion and sea level rise) and feasible. This aims to reduce the ecosystems and coastal headlands. level of vulnerability into the future. As Council is also investigating the Council understands more about the The primary stages of major dune possibility of a live feed of imagery to be implications of climate change planning restoration works at The Entrance North available on the Council website. controls can be modified through an and southern Budgewoi Beach are adaptive management strategy, so as not completed, with maintenance work an to sterilise coastal lands before recession ongoing issue. Sixteen hectares of Bitou makes development impossible. Council Bush has been treated, 800m of foredune is also developing a Climate Change reshaped and fences constructed to Policy for adoption in 2012/13. capture sand and reduce erosion. These areas have been planted with local native coastal species and beach access points upgraded to direct pedestrian traffic through the dunes, reducing erosion and damage to regenerating vegetation. Council aims to seek funding for continued coastal restoration and revegetation for a number of locations along the Wyong coastline.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 99 Saltmarsh Tuggerah Bay
taking 100 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 101 Catchment Management AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
From a geophysical perspective Wyong Shire can be viewed as a complex system of adjacent catchments that feed a variety of waterways including wetlands, creeks, lakes and the ocean. The activities that occur within each catchment affect the health of the receiving waterway. Subsequently, waterway management is best approached from a catchment scale. Considering the role that waterways play in characterising Wyong Shire, there is significant pressure to ensure each catchment is managed appropriately.
guidelines. At times however, some of • Habitat protection for Little Terns at Lakes the coastal lake sites have been found The Entrance North. to have high faecal indicator levels. This • Caring for our Coast program can be attributed to stormwater water including bush regeneration to pollution collected within the catchments support Landcare groups at Budgewoi feeding out into the Tuggerah Lakes Beach, Lakes Beach South, Norah State Rating system. A summary of the annual results Head, and The Entrance North. of the monitoring program is included 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 in the NSW State of the Beaches report A National Green Jobs Corps team Stable Stable Stable (available on the OEH website). comprising of 20 young local people also volunteered on Landcare sites at Tuggerah Lakes estuary consists of The number of people volunteering The Entrance North, the Lakes Beach, three interconnected shallow lagoons: in Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare and Norah Head, Lake Munmorah, Budgewoi, Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake and Lake Dunecare groups to restore natural Wyong, Summerland Point, Tumbi Munmorah. They are largely isolated areas remains stable, with the number of Umbi and Kanwal, and assisted with the from the ocean and are the receiving Landcare groups decreasing slightly. Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management water bodies at the bottom of the Plan streambank rehabilitation works. catchment. Year Groups Sites 2006/07 32 51 The Community Environment Network The Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management 2007/08 32 51 (CEN) undertook the following projects: Plan (EMP) was adopted in 2006. Its 2008/09 36 47 primary objective is to facilitate long-term 2009/10 41 52 • The Stepping Stones Project improvements to the condition of the 2010/11 42 56 (Wyrrabalong to Wyrrabalong): Tuggerah Lakes estuary and encourage 2011/12 39 53 a partnership between Bateau the sustainability of its ecological systems. Bay Bushcare, the Community The EMP Implementation Program is Environment Network and Wyong detailed further in the Response sub- An additional staff member was Shire Council. It aims to link North section. employed on a permanent basis to to South Wyrrabalong National Park increase the level of support provided with a green corridor by expanding In addition to the activities outlined in to these groups. Council also provided and improving the quality of remnant the EMP, Council, in partnership with resources for 21 Landcare groups, vegetation. Project sites include the Office of Environment and Heritage including project materials such as Coleridge Road Reserve, EDSACC (OEH) undertakes a Beachwatch Program. native plants, tools, personal protective Oval, Saltwater Park, Peter Clifford Each month recreational water quality equipment, contracted bush regeneration Reserve and the Long Jetty foreshore. is monitored at 22 popular swimming and material for Landcare community The project has also held a number locations in the Shire. During the summer nurseries. of community workshops including reporting period, 17 ocean beaches National Tree Day 2011 at EDSAACC and five coastal lake sites were tested Over $270,000 of external funding was oval and ongoing Water Quality weekly for contamination using the faecal secured or utilised by Landcare groups Testing training and monitoring indicator organism enterococci. These for projects including: of the drains along the Long Jetty results are used to assess compliance with Foreshore. The Hunter Central Rivers the National Health and Medical Research • Ourimbah Creek floodplain rainforest Catchment Management Authority Council’s Guidelines for Managing Risks in and wetland regeneration at the Palm funded bush regeneration at Peter Recreational Water (NHMRC 2008). Grove Ourimbah Creek Landcare site Clifford Reserve in 2011, which has • WyCare network support funding. dramatically transformed the reserve. Since 1999, the majority of the 22 sites • Reduction in Noxious Weeds (Crofton The natural regeneration at this monitored have achieved a high level Weed) in the South Chain Valley Bay site has exceeded expectations and of compliance with the NHMRC 2008 Wetland. some strategic buffer plantings of
taking 102 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire the degraded edges of the reserve Group Materials will minimise weeds re-entering the Budgewoi Beach Dunecare Tools and materials for propagation facility site. Stepping Stones bushcare group, formed in 2010 through the project, Buff Pointers Landcare Contract bush regeneration is gaining momentum and currently Chain Valley Bay South Bushcare Native plants meets fortnightly, maintaining, Colongra Bay Landcare Materials and native plants removing weeds and revegetating Hargraves Beach Dunecare Tree guards various locations in the Stepping Native plants, tree guards and erosion control Lake Munmorah Landcare Stones Corridor. materials • Land For Wildlife (LFW) is expanding Lakes Beach United Dunecare/ in Wyong with 6 new LFW Native plants, tools and materials Coastcare registrations during the 2011/12 reporting period, bringing the total Norah Head Coastcare Native coastal plants number of LFW members in Wyong Northlakes Landcare Contracted bush regeneration and materials to 74. Some of these registrations have had bush regeneration activities taking place to remove weeds of to implement a broader on-ground national significance (WONS) and works program to improve the health of environmental weeds on their Tuggerah Lakes and its catchment. property. This will allow native plant species to regenerate and in turn • Continuing population growth and The EMP identifies a five year schedule provide better habitat for fauna in resultant development pressures in of works to achieve improvements in these areas. Land For Wildlife will the catchment four key Action Plans: Water Quality, have a greater focus in the Wyong • Stormwater pollution and siltation Ecology, Socio-economic and Knowledge Shire in 2012/13, with numerous reaching lakes & Management. These Action Plans workshops proposed to engage • Community expectations involved works for the 2011/12 financial landholders in key corridor areas in year as follows. the shire. • During 2011/12 Waterwatch groups Water Quality have been monitoring water quality in a range of areas including Spring • A total of 18.54km of streambank Creek (Blue Haven), Wallarah Creek, The Tuggerah Lakes Estuary rehabilitation was undertaken by Wyong River, Ourimbah Creek, Management Plan (EMP) Council and the Hunter-Central Rivers Tuggerah Lakes, Lakes Foreshore at Catchment Management Authority. Long Jetty, Jilliby Creek, Little Jilliby Implementation Program • Under Council’s program, streambank Creek, Lake Macquarie at Mannering rehabilitation and establishment works Park and wetlands at Pioneer Dairy Has now completed its first four years of were undertaken on 10 reaches along Tuggerah, Blue Haven and Glenning work. In 2011/12 works continued to be Ourimbah Creek, two reaches along Valley. funded by the Federal Government Caring Wyong River, one reach along Spring for Our Country (CFoC) grant, Stormwater Creek and one reach along Wallarah As a major employer in the region, Management Charge, Tourist Park Cluster Creek. The total length of new Delta Electricity has a strong local Funding and Council funding. rehabilitation works in this program sponsorship program supporting the was 2.64km. social, educational, cultural, sporting In 2011/12, Council has partnered • The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment and business development in local with a number of State Government Management Authority supported communities. Delta’s investment of organisations to implement works under 18 landholder projects which will around $200,000 per annum supports the Estuary Management Plan in line with rehabilitate 15.9km of streambank local government in improving local CFoC objectives. Through the partnership through bush regeneration and stock amenities, volunteer organisations with the Office of Environment and exclusion works. (such as Progress Associations), primary Heritage, Council is gaining valuable • Designs completed and approvals and secondary school communities knowledge and understanding of the underway for future reaches along and charitable community service lake and catchment’s dynamics and Wyong River, Ourimbah Creek organisations. This support includes interactions. Through the partnerships and Spring Creek. Construction to sponsorship of Landcare in the North with National Parks and Wildlife Service commence in 2012/13. of the Shire. In 2011/12, nine Landcare and the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment groups were sponsored by Delta for the Management Authority, Council is able following projects.
103 creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
• Construction of stormwater treatment Socio-Economic marketing strategy to further increase works underway or completed at: the engagement and education • Heritage Drive, Kanwal collaboration with the community • Continuation of shared pathway • Colongra Bay Road, Lake Munmorah • A number of community engagement construction at Buff Point (950m) • The Office of Environment and and education events were held with • Construction of shared pathway at Heritage devised and commenced over 500 residents in attendance, Colongra Bay (600m) a water quality monitoring program including the following. • Construction of shared pathway at on behalf of Council. This program • Four catchment crawls of the Osborne Park (550m) is in line with State wide monitoring Tuggerah Lakes catchment, from programs and aims to determine the Kulnura to the lakes Following the design of the boat ecological health of the lakes. The • Three landowner workshops in ramp upgrade at Saltwater Creek in information from this program is the valleys, including one run in 2009/10, approval for funding under shown in the form of report cards for conjunction with the Hunter-Central the EMP Cluster Plan was approved defined areas of the lakes and can be Rivers Catchment Management by Crown Lands. However, a need for found on the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Authority complementary upgrades to adjoining website: • Three fishing clinics for people from carparks were also identified to proceed www.loveourlivinglakes.com.au local disadvantaged groups in conjunction with the boat ramp works. • An education program commenced No work under this action plan was for primary schools in the Porter’s Ecological undertaken during 2011/12 due to no Creek Wetland catchment, this is funding source identified for the carpark being run in collaboration with • On-ground works were undertaken works. on three constructed saltmarshes at WetlandCare Australia Lucinda Avenue, Killarney Vale. These • A partnership with International works complete the active saltmarsh Knowledge and Management Student Volunteers resulted program, with saltmarsh rehabilitation in 16 volunteers working with in the next financial year focussing • A Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting Council’s bush regeneration team on a range of passive rehabilitation and Improvement Plan for the CFoC on a number of streambank and methods including bush regeneration, program has been developed. This saltmarsh rehabilitation projects the fencing of key existing saltmarsh program will capture information sites and installation of interpretive to determine the success of the signage. various components of the CFoC • Saltmarsh maintenance continued at Program in implementing the Estuary six active saltmarsh sites in Tuggerah Management Plan. Data collected The lakes will continue to be put under Lake and Budgewoi – These sites are will help Council and its partners pressure from urban development and located at Long Jetty, Berkeley Vale and to adaptively manage the works to human activities in the catchment. The Halekulani. ensure the most successful outcome implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes • Access controls were implemented at is achieved for the program and to Estuary Management Plan is aiming two natural wetlands in the Tuggerah inform future management. to strengthen resilience of ecological Lakes catchment, Peter Clifford Reserve • The Office of Environment and systems within the catchment to buffer and Blue Haven Wetland. These works Heritage continued work on the these impacts. will protect the wetlands from illegal development of a wrack and ooze dumping and unauthorised access. model for the lakes to complement the Community awareness and associated • The access controls at Peter Clifford previously developed hydrodynamic behaviour change are expected to Reserve complement rehabilitation and ecological response models. This improve through a greater understanding works being undertaken by the will help Council to better understand of the value of the estuary. This will be Stepping Stones project, with these issues and strategically manage achieved through extensive education, separate funding from the Australian them into the future. Work with communications and engagement Government’s CFoC. Council’s Communications unit to programs. • The access control works at develop estuary report cards for the the Blue Haven Wetland will be Council’s website was also undertaken, complemented by targeted weeding this program uses the data collected to be undertaken throughout the from the water quality monitoring next financial year. program. • The National Parks and Wildlife • The last financial year saw the Service conducted weed removal and completion of the Love Our Living protection works including control of Lakes website, EMP branding feral animals in Wyrrabalong National strategy and communications and Park and Colongra Nature Reserve.
taking 104 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Creeks & Rivers Stream Flows and Water Extraction Wyong Shire has six tributaries, all of which enter the Tuggerah Lakes estuary: During 2011/12 monthly rainfall was mostly Wyong River, Ourimbah, Spring and above average for the stream catchments. Wallarah Creeks in the west, and Tumbi The following graphs display monthly and Saltwater Creeks in the south. Wyong streamflows for Ourimbah Creek and Wyong River and Ourimbah Creek provide River as compared to monthly drinking water the majority of Wyong’s water supply. supply extractions during the reporting Provision of adequate environmental period. Extractions were closest to monthly flows is necessary to maintain the streamflows in May of 2012 when streamflow ecological integrity of these streams. in Wyong River was recorded as 1,709.34ML and 1,324.6 ML of water was extracted.
Streamflows & Extractions from Ourimbah Creek, July 2011 to June 2012
State Rating 2011/12 2009/10 2010/11
Wyong River Stable Stable Improving Spring-Wallarah Improving Stable Stable Creek Tumbi Creek and Improving Stable Improving Saltwater Creek
Previous State of the Shire reports were indicated as declining but have stabilised more recently for the condition of the streams feeding into Tuggerah Lakes. Streambank rehabilitation works undertaken over the last 15 years (and ongoing) in the water supply catchments and projects undertaken as part of the Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan (EMP) are progressively addressing streambank erosion issues. Town water Supply Extractions (ML) Streamflow (ML
Streambank rehabilitation works undertaken in the water supply catchment Streamflows & Extractions from Wyong River July 2011 to June 2012 and under the EMP will address areas of significant erosion and improve the riparian condition along the Shire’s creeks and rivers.
30000 The three estuarine river sites monitored in the Tuggerah Lakes catchment under the Beachwatch Program showed good compliance with the NHMRC (2008) swimming water quality guidelines with only 16 instances of non-compliance being recorded for the three sites.
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Town water Supply Extractions (ML) Streamflow (ML creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 105 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
• Stormwater runoff, erosion and bringing the total expenditure on the The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment sediment transfer from urban areas program for the 2011/12 year to $65,605. Management Authority supported 18 affecting the ecology of our creeks and landholder projects throughout the rivers Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Shire, which will rehabilitate 15.9km of • Level of rainfall places pressure on the streambank through bush regeneration environmental stream flows for Wyong Management Plan and stock exclusion works. River and Ourimbah Creek Implementation Project (EMP) • The proposed Wallarah 2 Coal Project has the potential to affect the ecology The streambank rehabilitation program of streams in the water supply under the EMP achieved 18.54km of catchment streambank rehabilitation within the Tuggerah Lakes catchment throughout Implementation of the WSUD DCP the 2011/12 financial year. These works and streambank rehabilitation works were undertaken by Council staff and in the catchment under the Estuary also landholders utilising grants awarded Management Plan and other programs through the Hunter-Central Rivers in conjunction with better sediment and During 2011/12 Council staff and Catchment Management Authority; all erosion controls will aim to improve landholders rehabilitated 18.72km of of this work was funded through the catchment condition and ultimately water streambanks in the Shire. This work was Australian Government’s Caring for Our quality and lake ecology. undertaken for a number of projects Country (CFoC) grant. including the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Water Sharing Plans are implemented to Management Plan Implementation The Council’s component of works in extract water supply needs while ensuring Project, rehabilitation of sites following 2011/12 included the following. adequate environmental flows remain in the Mardi-Mangrove Pipeline Link Project Wyong River: place to maintain aquatic ecosystems. and Council’s catchment management • 1.5km of streambank rehabilitation program. More detail on these projects is works on two sites. These works provided below. included 1.35km of fencing to protect the riparian zone, the removal of Mardi-Mangrove Pipeline Link weed species and replanting the areas with locally native species – including Project & Council’s Catchment groundcovers, shrubs and trees. Management Program Ourimbah Creek: • 0.93km of streambank rehabilitation Council’s catchment staff and landholders works on 10 sites. These works ranged rehabilitated 180 metres of streambanks from small bush regeneration jobs to and rehabilitated 1,834m2 of degraded works requiring re-alignment of large areas in the water supply catchment on fallen trees. ten sites at Wyong Creek, Yarramalong Spring Creek: and Mardi. 4,180 native trees, shrubs and • 0.06km of streambank rehabilitation groundcovers were planted across the works were undertaken at one sites at a cost of $43,225. The work also site in Spring Creek. A number of involved the control of extensive stands noxious weeds were removed and of environmental weeds such as Privet, a near-vertical bank was reshaped. Lantana and Camphor Laurel. Approximately 2,500 locally native plants were replanted at this site. Work on several of the sites was Wallarah Creek: undertaken by Council staff to rehabilitate • 0.15km of streambank rehabilitation areas degraded by the construction works were undertaken on one site of the Mardi-Mangrove Pipeline Link in Wallarah Creek. Works included Project, a Federal Government funded the protection of riparian vegetation, project through the Water Smart Australia removal of Weeds of National program. Significance and a large erosion hole was appropriately lined with rock to Another $22,380 was spent maintaining prevent further erosion. Approximately sites rehabilitated over the last three years 500 locally native plants will be replanted at this site. taking 106 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Wetlands Other Council Actions and Programs undertaken in 2011/12 include the following. • Increasing development; which leads to changed stormwater flows, • A longer term target identified in State Rating increased pollution loads, tree death Council’s Management Plan is to and weed invasion. 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 reduce pollutant loads entering the • Adoption of Water Sensitive Declining Declining Declining lake and implement Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy to guide new Urban Design (WSUD). A WSUD DCP development and Council works. Council has a number of significant Chapter and Technical Guidelines have • Development of Porters Creek natural wetlands in the Shire which in been approved for public exhibition Stormwater Harvesting Scheme in combination cover an area of more than by Council. It is planned to exhibit order to facilitate development within 1,600ha. The condition of these wetlands this Chapter with Council’s new the Porters Creek catchment in a ranges from excellent (Enterprise Drive, Consolidated DCP 2012 concurrently controlled and sustainable manner. Wyee, Gwandalan) to poor (Tumbi, with the new Wyong Local Toukley), depending on the extent to Environmental Plan 2012. which development and increased • Recommendations in the Porters stormwater flows has affected them. Creek Wetland Management Plan Freshwater and brackish wetlands are an include monitoring of flows in the An Integrated Water Cycle Management extremely important part of the natural Porters Creek catchment. Water (IWCM) Strategy was formulated in 2006 landscape and provide habitat for a level measurement equipment to mitigate impacts on Porters Creek diverse range of flora and fauna, assist in was installed during 2010 at the Wetland associated with development of nutrient cycling, and provide a means for downstream end of the Porters Creek the Wyong Employment Zone (WEZ) and sediment trapping and flood control. before it enters Wyong River. The Warnervale Town Centre (WTC). An IWCM completion of a flow rating curve for strategy has also been developed for the Impacts on natural wetlands and sensitive the site will enable the water level Warnervale Precinct 7a development area. aquatic environments can be mitigated measurements to be converted into One key element of the IWCM strategy is through implementation of proper flow measurements. This will be to capture and treat urban runoff and to stormwater management practises which recorded as baseline data and will divert excess stormwater around Porters serve to improve water quality and assist with the management of the Creek wetland. The IWCM strategy reduce the volume and rate of stormwater IWCM scheme once it is operational. consists of a combination of water quality runoff. There are 25 constructed wetlands Further sites in the Porters Creek and water diversion works. Water quality maintained by Wyong Shire Council Catchment are to be investigated for requirements are mainly provided by covering a total area of 16 Ha, these the installation of flow measurement artificial wetlands, but also by allotment combined with rainwater tanks and equipment. and streetscape works. These are stormwater harvesting intend to reduce • Full-scale intensive water quality designed to reduce the sediment and the impacts from urban development. monitoring of the Myrtle Brush Park nutrient load from runoff prior to it Constructed Wetland is to commence entering the Porters Creek Wetland or Past management of stormwater has in 2012/13. To date, some physico- being pumped to Wyong River. altered the wetting and drying cycles chemical indicators have been of many natural wetlands and creeks by monitored for approximately six The water diversion works, or stormwater delivering increased runoff too frequently months. Once running this monitoring harvesting scheme, consist of storages, to the floodplain. Altered hydrology will provide important data on how pump stations and pipelines designed (increased stormwater runoff, modified effectively constructed wetlands to divert water around the Porters Creek drainage, and changes to natural surface are removing pollutants from the Wetland to Wyong River. It is not possible and groundwater flow) threatens the stormwater and will inform future to divert flows around the Porters Creek condition and long-term survival of constructed wetland design. Wetland without the use of a pumped natural wetlands and streams. The • Work on implementing the Tuggerah system. The discharge point into Wyong stress of altered hydrology can result in Lakes Wetland Management Plan River is at the Wyong River Weir. This extensive tree dieback, premature tree fall, has begun. Control works to limit provides the option of discharging weed invasion and little or no recruitment unauthorised access and illegal stormwater either upstream of the weir of native wetland vegetation species. dumping were undertaken at the Blue for use in directly supplementing the Altered fire regimes, mine subsidence, Haven wetland. Weed control works town water supply, onto the weir for catchment modification, water pollution, will be undertaken in the 2012/13 use in environmental flow substitution weed and pest infestation, removal of financial year to improve the ecological thereby indirectly supplementing the vegetation and vandalism also threaten condition of the wetland. These works town water supply or downstream of the the health and longevity of Wyong Shire’s weir without contacting the town water wetlands. supply. creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 107 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
are part of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary In relation to the amenity of the coastal Management Plan Implementation zone, Council continues to maintain its • Climate change including sea level rise Program and are funded by the beaches and surf life saving clubs to a and increased storm intensity Australian Government’s Caring for level satisfactory to residents’ needs. • Future population and development Our Country grant. In June 2010 the Federal Government will continue to place pressure on committed $5 million to upgrade surf sensitive coastal environments clubs in Wyong Shire and Council • Treated sewage discharge from ocean has now rebuilt surf clubs at Soldiers outfalls and Shelly beaches with the Entrance, • Urban runoff from roads, sewer Overall the Shire’s wetlands are Entrance North and Lakes beaches surf overflows, spills, industrial activities continuing to decline. However, clubs receiving refurbishments. and building sites being the most stabilisation or a reduced rate of decline significant source of pollution for the may be seen once the implementation Wyong Shire beaches are popular with near-coastal marine environments of the Wetland Management Plan begins residents and tourists alike. Of the • Runoff from urban areas - may and the WSUD DCP chapter is adopted 17 ocean beaches monitored under be contaminated with sediment, and implemented for new development. the Beachwatch program there were nutrients, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, no instances of non-compliance with pathogens, and other chemicals In relation to Porters Creek wetland, NHMRC (2008) swimming water quality the stormwater harvesting scheme guidelines. will be progressively rolled out as new development comes on line thus Recent storm events have highlighted mitigating the impacts of the new the vulnerability of the coastal zone with Wyong beaches are regularly monitored development. There are strategies properties at Cabbage Tree Harbour for swimming safety in accordance with in place to cater for existing areas of (Norah Head), Hargraves Beach and The the NHMRC Guidelines for Managing Risks development, (Watanobbi, Wadalba, Entrance North considered at risk from in Recreational Water (2008). Program Kanwal, Lake Haven etc.), however these coastal erosion processes. These areas are results are reported to Council on a are currently unfunded. Council must of growing concern due to issues arising monthly basis. Water quality results are investigate grant funding and other from climate change. Similarly, many published in the annual NSW State of the sources of funding in order to implement coastal environments will increasingly Beaches report which includes a summary the scheme in the future. become subject to inundation and wave of Beachwatch activities over the previous damage as a result of sea level rise and year and a summary of water quality increased storm intensity. along the NSW coast. Annual State of the OCEANS Beaches reports are available on the OEH Treated sewage effluent discharges from website. the Norah Head and Bateau Bay (Wonga Point) outfalls continued to meet OEH The recently adopted Coastal Zone volume and quality licence requirements Management Plan (see Coastline and State Rating during the reporting period. Average Wallarah Peninsula page 98) aims to daily discharges through 2011/12 are address issues relating to coastal hazards 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 provided in the table below. Stable Stable Stable
Wyong Shire has 35km of coastline that Ocean outfall discharge – Treated Sewage Effluent 2011/12 includes open beaches, sheltered bays and rock platforms. From the limited OEH licensed average daily Actual average daily marine environmental data currently discharge (kilolitres) discharge (kilolitres)* available to Council it appears that ocean water quality is satisfactory, although Norah stormwater pollution continues to remain 40,000** 28,540 Head an issue of concern. However, as the four Outfall Wonga significant intertidal rock platforms within 25,000 7,986 the Shire are not monitored, the illegal Point and inappropriate collection of marine life and subsequent damage to aquatic * Covers effluent actually discharged to ocean but does not include treated sewage effluent diverted for ecosystems within the coastal zone has non potable uses. continued unabated. ** Norah Head licensed average daily discharge increased from 35,000 to 40,000 Kilolitres per day by the then DECCW in 2009-2010.
taking 108 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire arising from storm events and sea level rise. The Plan incorporates a full study of the Wyong coastline for environmental, social and economic issues and develops action plans that incorporate a range of planning, management and construction options. The CZMP incorporates the precautionary principle and recommends the only sustainable policy of managed retreat with adaptation and protection measures where possible and feasible. This strategy aims to reduce the level of vulnerability to coastal hazards now and into the future.
Coastal and estuarine ecosystems such as wetlands, beaches, floodplains and dune systems are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Increased coastal hazards are expected from changes in coastal processes, affecting development, infrastructure and the economic base of coastal communities.
Climate change predictions for increased sea level rise and storm frequency and intensity suggest there is a risk of continued and increased coastal recession in years to come. The resulting impacts may be exacerbated if population and development pressures increase. Council’s CZMP and the land use planning framework it puts forth aims to reduce this vulnerability into the future.
Strategic marine biodiversity monitoring in ecosystems such as rock platforms would assist in providing Council with data on how human interaction and climate change are affecting the coastal zone. Council aims to conduct a benchmark survey of coastal ecological communities in line with the actions listed in the CZMP.
REFERENCES http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/soe/ soe2009/chapter6/chp_6.5.htm#6.5.32 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/soe/ soe2006/chapter5/chp_5.6.htm#5.6.34 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ beach/starratingsWyong.htm
Coastal zone Norah Head creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 109 taking 110 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire BIODIVERSITY
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 111 Biodiversity AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Wyong Shire is rich in biodiversity, enhanced by the presence of both coastal and inland vegetation communities and expresses faunal characteristics of both the Sydney Basin and North Coast bioregions. The Shire supports over 427 native vertebrate fauna species (including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, excluding marine species) and many invertebrates.
We are fortunate to retain native bushland across 65% of Wyong Shire. This is partly due to a large portion of the EPBC Act Protected Matters Summary Report for Wyong Shire Shire’s 82,042 hectares being managed as State Forest (14,678 ha - 18% of the Shire) or National Park (13,163 ha - 16% Critically of the Shire), and partly due to numerous Other Vulnerable Endangered Endangered Total small and large parcels of vegetated areas Matters of National Environmental Significance owned by Wyong Shire Council (3,011 ha) Threatened Species and the Crown (State Government). Plants 0 12 6 0 18 Sharks 0 3 0 1 4 Fish 0 2 1 0 3 Frogs 0 4 1 0 5 State Rating 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Reptiles 0 4 2 0 6 Declining Declining Declining Birds 0 13 5 0 18 At the National Level, there are 63 Mammals 0 7 2 0 9 threatened species, two threatened ecological communities and 59 migratory Total 0 45 17 1 63 species listed as matters of national Threatened Ecological Communities environmental significance under the Migratory Species 0 0 0 2 2 Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) that occur Marine Species 10 14 4 0 28 or whose habitat is likely to occur within Terrestrial Species 6 0 1 0 7 Wyong Shire. Other matters listed under Wetland Species 23 1 0 0 24 the EPBC Act that may relate to Wyong Shire include 78 marine species. In Total 39 15 5 0 59 2011/12, one new species was listed as Other Matters Endangered and two new species were listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act Marine Species 62 12 4 0 78 that occur or whose habitat is likely to Whales / Cetaceans 10 1 1 0 12 occur within Wyong Shire. The species as Total 72 13 5 0 90 are follows: • The tufted perennial herb Omeo Stork’s-bill (Pelargonium sp. Striatellum) was listed as Endangered Source: www.environment.gov.au • The Black Rockcod (Epinephelus *Estimated species, or species habitat, likely to occur in Wyong Shire based on known distribution, daemelii) was listed as Vulnerable expert knowledge and for less well known species distribution models • The Koala (combined populations of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) (Phascolarctos cinereus) was listed as Vulnerable.
taking 112 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire At the State level, there are 107 vulnerable, 57 endangered and four critically endangered species, populations or ecological communities listed that are known or predicted to occur in the Wyong sub-catchment (note: this sub- catchment extends into the Gosford Local Government Area). There were also 32 key threatening processes identified for the LGA.
In the 2011/12 reporting period one new species was listed as Endangered and two species changed in status under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) for species that have been recorded within the Wyong Local Government Area as follows: • The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) was listed as Endangered, • The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) changed in status from Vulnerable to Endangered, • The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) changed in status from Vulnerable to Endangered. Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) TSC Act Summary Report for Wyong Sub-Catchment
Ecological Endangered Flora Fauna Total Communities Populations Vulnerable 0 0 21 86 107
Endangered 14 2 18 23 57
Critically Endangered 1 0 1 2 4 Sub-total 15 2 40 111 168 Key Threatening Processes 32 Total 200
Source: www.environment.nsw.gov.au * These figures encompass species and communities recorded within the Wyong LGA. There may be additional species and communities listed under the TSC Act that have not been recorded or modelled to occur in the area but that do occur.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 113 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
There is continuing pressure on the Other activities that may contribute to Australia and Transgrid, under Part Shire’s biodiversity from population further loss of vegetation include: 5 of the Environmental Planning and growth and associated development. Assessment Act 1979 The area of native vegetation approved • Cumulative vegetation loss due to • Clearing approved by the Hunter- to be cleared for development can be approved minor development, such Central Rivers Catchment Management used as a measure of the impact that as tree works applications, complying Authority or Department of new development has on available development and single dwellings in Environment and Climate Change habitat. The following table shows the rural locations under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 approximate area of vegetation that • Illegal clearing that is unaccounted for • Cumulative canopy loss due to removal Council approved to be cleared during in Council calculations of trees that Council’s Development the 2011/12. In addition, the Natural • Clearing undertaken through Control Plan (2005) Chapter 14 Areas Bush Fire Management Program agricultural practice, particularly exempts from requiring consent (NABFMP) has identified the need grazing, that may be exempt from • Unapproved/illegal clearing for significant additional clearing and development consent vegetation modification on Council • Single dwellings or clearing that Under Clause 14 (3b) of the Wyong bushland reserves to mitigate bush was approved in a previous year Local Environment Plan (1991) land fire risk. There exist opportunities to (i.e. Section 96 applications under owners can subdivide land zoned for incorporate ongoing improvements the Environmental Planning and scenic protection - small holdings into during this process by improved weed Assessment Act 1979) lots smaller than the minimum lot size, and stormwater management at the • Clearing approved by the NSW provided the developer undertakes a bushland / urban interface. The NABFMP State Government under Part 3A certain action, such as dedicate land also recommends that all clearing or of the Environmental Planning and to Council or contribute money to vegetation modification at the interface Assessment Act 1979 Council for the purchase of conservation is offset through permanent conservation • Clearing conducted by State zoned land or for the improvement or and bush regeneration works on other Government agencies, such as Energy embellishment of any conservation zoned Council land. land owned by the Council. In 2011/12, Council did not acquire any new land Area of clearing and compensatory for conservation. Council is currently habitat restoration approved in 2011/12. developing a policy framework to guide future acquisition and management of Category of development Total approved Total approved conservation lands, using the bonus clearing compensatory habitat provision fund. The availability of these (hectares) restoration (hectares) funds for these restricted purposes is Residential 5.63 7.22 being used to leverage external funding, Commercial and Industrial 9.09 2.15 and in 2011/12, Council was successful in Council works 1.7 0 winning three competitive Small Project grants from the Hunter-Central Rivers Other – Special Uses 0.08 0 Catchment Management Authority and Total 16.5 9.37 used funds to build on works undertaken using grants from various Disaster An additional 44 individual trees were Resilience funding for fire trails. There approved for removal to accommodate remains some uncertainty regarding the commercial & industrial, residential, ability to retain this conservation offset and “other” developments during the tool under the forthcoming Wyong reporting period. To compensate for LEP 2012, but this is currently being those that were removed the developers investigated with the Department of have committed to planting 248 Planning. replacement trees. It is important to note that these figures were sourced Council is currently in negotiations from Development Applications and are to purchase one parcel of land at therefore likely to underestimate the total Fountaindale and one parcel at Wadalba area/number of trees cleared. using the Restricted Funds. Council has also been involved in the review of the
taking 114 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire NSW Government Biobanking Scheme, Agreements and Property Vegetation aquarium shops were inspected. The and three sites have been shortlisted for Plans. class 1 weed, Kidney Leaf Mudplantain a trial of the Biobanking methodology • Central Coast Regional Strategy – (Heteranthera reniformis) was found through the Linking Landscapes Program Regional Conservation Strategy and through Council’s weed education in 2012/13. Northern Wyong Shire Structure Plan. program and continues to be treated. • The need to retain functional natural All main roads in the Shire have been ecosystems to ensure their integrity mapped for noxious weeds. is retained for future generations • An estimated 1,167ha of natural areas and ensure ecosystem services will be transferred from private to • Objective 4 of the Community and opportunities are not further public ownership over the next seven Strategic Plan 2030 – Areas of value degraded. years. Each site will have an associated in public and private ownership • Agricultural activities, primarily in the Land Management Plan with actions will be enhanced and retained to a valleys – e.g. poor riparian habitat assigned to various sections of Council high level in the context of ongoing management practices. for implementation. The management development. • Poor management of feral animals of these actions will require close • Objective 5 of the Community Strategic (rabbits and foxes). liaison and coordination with the Plan 2030 – There will be a sense of • Inappropriate management of various sections of Council, external community ownership of the natural domestic animals (cats and dogs). government agencies, developers, environment through direct public • Diseases such as chytrid fungus, contractors, community volunteers involvement with environmental phytophora and Myrtle Rust. and operational staff. The initial programs. • Attitudes of residents towards trees in upfront environmental restoration • Community expectations to retain the urban areas. costs for proposed conservation Shire’s natural resources for a range of • Management of public land adjoining lands will be supported by section reasons including biodiversity, scenic private land e.g. foreshores and bush 94 funding strategies. This will not amenity and support for property reserves. include any contributions for recurrent prices. • Altered fire regimes. maintenance costs. There is a need • Provision of a wide range of ecosystem to nurture the sites in perpetuity by services that cannot be provided cost- setting up maintenance programs effectively through artificial means, once the Section 94 contributions are such as flood control through natural expended. wetlands. • During the 2011/12, Council received • Climate change impacts and mitigation • Council staff renewed a scientific $120,000 in grant funds through the and adaptation strategies. licence from the Department of Local Government Fire Mitigation • Emergency Management related to Environment, Climate Change and Program to assist in the maintenance natural disasters. Water on behalf of Landcare groups of 30.72km of Asset Protection Zones • Population growth and related working in Endangered Ecological (APZs) across the 66.7km urban needs for development, recreation, Communities and in the habitat of bushland interface with Council employment generating landuses threatened species. This licence applies bushland. Council also received a (i.e. industrial and commercial), to 23 groups working in the habitat further $42,000 through the Fire infrastructure and associated facilities. of six species of flora, 13 species of Mitigation Works Fund to upgrade a • Tension between future development fauna and nine Endangered Ecological 420m section of a fire trail at Durren and preservation of the Shire’s Communities protected by the Durren. biodiversity. Threatened Species Conservation Act • In 2011/12 Council carried out a • Changing legislation relating to NSW (1995). comprehensive review of its existing listings, assessment, conservation and • Council employs a Noxious Weeds & APZ program in consultation with maintenance of areas. Pest Species Officer. In line with the the NSW RFS. This review involved • Changing legislative framework for Lower Hunter & Central Coast Weed identifying the priority risk rating bush fire management. Action Plan, high risk properties, of all of Council’s existing APZs as • Biobanking and Biodiversity outlets and pathways have been identified in the Wyong Bush Fire Certification opportunities to source identified and an inspection schedule Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) and additional external funding to manage developed. The aim of this program is undertaking a Stage 1 Gap Analysis of reserves. to detect weeds at an early stage and areas that need further investigation. • Private land certification options control them before a large problem All APZs ranked below High risk were including Voluntary Conservation develops. All nurseries and pet/ removed from the works schedule following a desktop analysis of each
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 115 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
of the sites. Although these sites plants and intensive weed control. population and employment targets over represent a bushfire risk, the Wyong This work, in association with the next 20 years. As such, overarching BFRMP states that “all areas identified extensive community engagement strategies need to be developed to as Medium or Low do not require and education had a positive impact guide the management of the complex specific application of resources, if on biodiversity conservation within biodiversity issues within the Shire. The resource constraints are an issue”. This the Shire, increasing species richness development of a policy statement, review allowed Council to prioritise and abundance in previously disturbed investment strategy and investment plan its works program and re-allocate it’s areas. to guide strategic decision making with resources more effectively to those respect to land management and land assets with a higher risk. Council ownership where conservation outcomes was then able to identify and create can be achieved will be the first step to a number of new APZs which were allow biodiversity issues to be effectively identified as having high (or above) identified, strategically managed and risk ratings according to Wyong’s The decline in the Shire’s biodiversity is monitored to provide long-term stability. BFRMP, resulting in improved bushfire being driven by a number of different The overarching draft Natural Resource protection within the Shire. Council factors. As the Shire’s population Management Strategy (NRMS) will aid in now maintains 116 APZs across the increases, the resulting development the long-term management of our natural Shire, covering a total distance of continues to fragment the remaining resources. If development pressures 30.72km and an area of approximately native vegetation, leading to a loss in continue to fragment the remaining 17.6ha. viable habitat for many native species. bushland in Wyong Shire without the • Council is continuing to undertake the Whilst the majority of this development direction of strong conservation planning, Natural Areas Bush Fire Management is focused east of the freeway, then biodiversity values will continue to Program (a grant funded partnership fragmentation is also evident in the decline to the detriment of our overall with Commonwealth and State valleys as a result of agricultural practices, sustainability. Governments) which is further e.g. poor riparian habitat management. analysing the need for bush fire This fragmentation is exacerbated by the Climate change is having an increasing management with a focus on APZs, loss, degradation of, and competition for role to play in land use decisions at the fire trails, infrastructure protection habitat caused by exotic plant species. local level with many existing threatening and community engagement. A draft processes such as weeds, pests and five year program has been produced Competition for resources with fragmentation likely to be exacerbated by and will be presented to Council for introduced species (e.g. rabbits and deer), climate shifts. The precautionary principle endorsement and funding in early predation by introduced animals (e.g. would encourage us to avoid making 2013. feral cats, foxes, domestic cats and dogs), decisions and actions where we really • Significant conservation on private altered fire regimes, and diseases such don’t know the possible outcomes and lands has been achieved through as chytrid fungus (in frogs) and root-rot impacts. the CEN’s Land for Wildlife (for rural fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) are properties) and Habitat for Wildlife also among the factors contributing to There are management and planning (for urban properties) Programs. the decline of biodiversity in the Wyong actions that can be undertaken to assist Wyong and Gosford Councils are Shire. Whilst there are programs already species and ecosystems to respond and jointly sponsoring the Land for Wildlife being conducted that are aiding in build resilience to climate change. These program on the Central Coast, which is biodiversity management such as those actions may assist the natural adaptation part of a national program to support detailed above, there needs to be a more of species and protect species that are private landholders who wish to overarching strategic approach to the particularly vulnerable to climate change. manage part of their land for native management of biodiversity across the Therefore, maintaining connectivity across biodiversity. whole of the Shire. the landscape will be a key element of • Council’s Estuary Management mitigation planning at the regional and Program focussed on regenerating a The Central Coast Regional Strategy state level. wide range of habitat types including (CCRS) does not detail the way in which riparian areas, wetlands and saltmarsh. the potentially conflicting land uses As many programs and initiatives being The program produced significant of development and biodiversity will undertaken across the Shire are reliant improvements in high priority areas be managed. This has the potential to on external funding (i.e. Federal or using bush regeneration techniques, significantly affect the Shire’s capacity to State), should this funding no longer be revegetation with local provenance fulfil its regional and state objectives for available, the trend for the next 20 years
taking 116 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire would be fairly grim. There are many initiatives and programs which could be undertaken and could result in improved outcomes for biodiversity (through both protection and education), but are subject to current resourcing constraints. The challenge will continue to be to maintain the “bushland” lifestyle valued by the residents of our Shire by integrating the social and economic aspects of development with preserving and enhancing the natural environment.
It is likely that ecological stress and decline will continue to occur in small fragmented reserves at the urban bushland interface. Community expectations to invest greater effort in actively managing our natural areas are predicted to increase with significant local, national and international focus on climate change. Expectations are also likely to be heightened following delivery of various proposed environmental education programs (e.g. Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan education strategy).
A coordinated and holistic approach to biodiversity management across the Shire would have the potential to reduce the decline in the Shire’s biodiversity and result in long term stability and resilience.
REFERENCES
http://www.environment.gov.au
Community Tree Planning Day celebrating National Tree Day
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 117 Volunteers making a real difference to biodiversity
It is truly amazing what the hard work and These days the site is a hotspot for biodiversity in dedication of volunteers can achieve! The Wyong Shire supporting 350 recorded species of Palm Grove Ourimbah Creek Landcare group native biota and a number of threatened species of have been working tirelessly across 30ha of note including the endangered Magenta Lilly Pilly riparian rainforest since 2000 to help restore (Syzygium paniculatum), the vulnerable Biconvex the vegetation and increase biodiversity. The Paperbark (Melaleuca biconvexa), Powerful Owl core group dedicate two mornings a week (Ninox strenua), Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa), to the cause and have achieved impressive Varied Sitella (Daphoenositta chrysoptera), Gang- results in that time. gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) and the migratory Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis). The original rainforest of the Ourimbah Creek Valley was gradually eaten into over a period The group are also improving local biodiversity of 60 years to make way for agricultural through their efforts to return Bangalow Palms activity. World War II brought about a (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), Strangler shortage of farm workers and a gradual Figs (Ficus obliqua and F. rubiginosa), White reduction in farming across the site. In later Beech (Gmelina leichhardtii) and Yellow Ash years the land was purchased by the NSW (Emmenosperma alphitonioides) to this part of the Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) to allow catchment. for the construction of the F3 Freeway which supported a boom in population on the Council is a proud supporter of the Palm Grove Central Coast. The land is still owned by the Ourimbah Creek Landcare group and encourages RMS and Wyong Shire Council and houses interested residents to get in and help out where some water supply infrastructure but is they can to support their fellow community predominantly set aside for conservation. members. Perhaps you could join a local Landcare group or even start your own in your local area. The astounding recovery of the site would not have been possible without the tireless efforts For more information on the Palm Grove of committed volunteers. Together, the group Ourimbah Creek Landcare group visit their control environmental weeds, propagate website at https://sites.google.com/site/ and transplant local native plants, maintain palmgroveourimbahcreeklandcare/home or for access to and within the site, facilitate more information about Landcare in Wyong Shire educational activities, report regularly to local contact Council’s Landcare Coordinator on (02) authorities and the public, monitor and record 4350 5555. biodiversity and host community activities.
In addition to the volunteer work, a series of external grants has allowed the group to engage professional bush regeneration contractors to help manage some of the more difficult areas of the site. The results of this work are clearly visible to anyone who visits. Most recently, the group has been BEFORE: The site in 1941 at the height of successful in obtaining a six year grant (the agriculture and clearing first in Wyong Shire) to continue their efforts … to restore and protect the Ourimbah Creek floodplain. This long-term commitment allows the group to target large areas of weed invasion in a systematic way, freeing up space for rainforest species to regenerate. The works have flow on effects for the downstream environment, protecting the water supply and improving water quality to the Tuggerah Lakes estuary.
AFTER: The site in 2010 after more than 11 years of natural regeneration, dedicated bush regeneration taking and weed control. 118 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Palm Grove Ourimbah Creek Landcare group pictured (from left): Al Wagenaer, Ian Playford, Brian Patterson, Ray Galway (back), Eileen Patterson (front), Henny Wagenaer and Boris Zrnic creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 119 Fire trail upgrade improves safety in the valleys
Above the before photo of the fire trail in Dooralong Valley - Opposite the fire trail after $40,000 of work carred out
An eroding fire trail in Dooralong has been The track upgrade has improved public given a much needed upgrade. Wyong Shire and volunteer fire fighter safety, reduced Council recently spent more than $40,000 to risk, reduced erosion, restabilised the fix 420 metres of the worst part of the 1.6km vegetation and reduced maintenance fire trail in the Dooralong Valley. costs. Council and the Rural Fire Service can now plan to carry out a 60 hectare The work was done as part of our Wyong hazard reduction burn that could not be Bush Fire Risk Management Plan and 95 per done safely without the fire trail in place. cent was funded through grants. Before A final upgrade of this trail (about 300m) the works, this fire trail suffered from a lot will be done in 2012/13. Other low use of erosion and vegetation damage; and had trails showing major signs of erosion will high maintenance costs. be rehabilitated back to natural bush land.
taking 120 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Above the before photo of the fire trail in Dooralong Valley - Opposite the fire trail after $40,000 of work carred out
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 121 Come fly with me - celebrating World Migratory Bird Day exploring Tuggerah Lakes and surrounds with renowned bird experts Alan Morris and Ricki Coughlan
taking 122 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire AIR QUALITY
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 123 Air Quality AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS Clean air is fundamental to all people’s health, with air quality particularly affecting the health of children and older people. It also affects the natural environment and the liveability of the communities in which we work and reside. Bushfires, stubble burning, dust storms and wood heaters are the major emission sources in Wyong Shire. The State Government aims to develop initiatives to reduce the community’s exposure to pollution and improve air quality in NSW.
monitoring station at Wyong Race concentrations (0.02ppm) were well Club. This station will be capable of below the relevant one-hour average State Rating continuously measuring a variety of air National Air Quality Standards quality parameters and is expected to (<0.2ppm) during the reporting period. 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 No exceedences have been recorded Declining Declining Stable* be up and running by the end of 2012. Real-time data collected from the over the years that monitoring has been undertaken. *Determined from currently available monitoring station will be publically • Concentrations of total suspended monitoring data. available on the OEH Air Quality Data webpage. The ambient air quality data particulates (TSP) are well below the NSW assessment criterion at each of Air quality measurements are undertaken will include Ozone, Particles (PM10, the three sites. at a number of locations in the Shire by PM2.5), Oxides of Nitrogen, Carbon • Smaller sized particulate matter (PM10 private industry. These measurements monoxide, sulphur dioxide, visibility and PM ) concentrations were below confirm that air quality in the monitored and meteorology. The purpose of the 2.5 the standards for the vast majority areas of Wyong Shire met the standards network is to: of the time – occasional elevated set in the National Environment Protection • Inform the public of regional air quality concentrations were usually related to Measure (NEPM) for ambient air quality levels broad-scale factors such as bushfires and have remained relatively stable over • Establish compliance with national and dust storms. the reporting period. However, particle ambient air quality standards pollution and photochemical smog remain • Track air quality trends and evaluate The Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture a concern in the Greater Metropolitan progress of emission control programs (WACJV) has provided Council with the Region (which extends as far north as the • Support development of emission air quality data recorded since 1999 by Lower Hunter). Medical research confirms control and air quality research their High Volume Air Samplers located that fine particulates represent a significant programs at Buttonderry Road and Tooheys health risk to urban communities while Road. Ambient air quality data is being inhalation exposure to ozone has been The closest OEH monitoring stations to collected as baseline monitoring for the linked to numerous respiratory health Wyong Shire that are currently operating proposed long wall coal mining under effects including decreases in lung function are located in Newcastle CBD and the valleys (see Highlands and Valleys and airway inflammation. Wallsend. Although they are relatively close, the data recorded by these stations page 96). This data gives an indication of can not be interpreted as representative the volume of fine and coarse particles in Common Air Pollutant Acronym of Wyong Shire. Subsequently, air quality the air resulting from local traffic, wind- Total suspended particulates TSP reporting to date has relied heavily on driven pollution from surrounding urban and industrial areas and events such as Particulate matter <10 µm PM10 data collected by Delta Electricity and Wyong Areas Coal Joint Venture (WACJV). bushfires. Particulate matter <2.5 µm PM2.5 Nitrogen dioxide NO2 Delta Electricity operates the Colongra From 1999 to 2009 the data revealed an 2 Sulfur dioxide SO gas-fired power station and the Vales increasing trend in PM10 concentrations, Ozone (photochemical smog) O3 Point and Munmorah coal-fired power though concentrations always remained stations in Wyong Shire. Air Quality below the NEPM annual average goal of 3 in the region of the power stations is 50ug/m . Data collected between July 2010 and June 2012 are displayed in the • The Office of Environment and monitored continuously by three air table below and show further increases, Heritage (OEH) is establishing a high quality monitoring stations. The Wyee although still below the 50ug/m3 NEPM quality ambient air quality monitoring and Lake Munmorah Public School goal. network throughout NSW to provide sites commenced monitoring in the the community with information on early 1990s and the Morisset Peninsula The Air NEPM sets a standard for particles current air quality. To date, the network site was established in late 2005. Data less than 10 micrograms (PM ) of 50um/ consists of 40 monitoring stations. In made available from Delta indicated the 10 m3 (1-day average), with a goal of no June 2012 consent was granted for following for their 2010/11 reporting more than five exceedence days per year the construction and operation of a period. • The maximum sulphur dioxide to allow for natural events such as dust (0.07ppm) and nitrogen dioxide storms and bushfires. taking 124 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Air Pollution incidents reported to the OEH Environment Line over the past four reporting periods.
Table X1 WACJV Particulate Data July 2011- June 2012
PM10 (µg/m³) TSP(µg/m³) Mean Exceedence NEPM annual Mean Exceedence NSW of days for average goal of days for the DECCW Sample the year (max. ambient Sample year Annual concentration average in one day) Impact Assessment Criterion
Buttonderry 2010/11 10.8 0 16.9 0 Road 50 90 2011/12 10.4 0 20.6 0 Tooheys 2010/11 16.3 1 31 0 Road 2011/12 16.3 1 30.9 0
When compared with the previous
reporting period, PM10 has remained stable while the mean of the TSP sample has increased by over 10µg/m3 at both 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 sampling locations. Air Pollution Incidents where the EPA was the 45 15 9 6 Chain Valley Colliery, operated by Appropriate Regulatory LakeCoal Pty Ltd, received major project Authority (ARA) approval on the 23rd January 2012 for Air Quality complaints continuation of mining. The approval received by EPA that were requires LakeCoal to implement various 9 7 16 25 referred back to Council environmental monitoring measures, including real time depositional dust and volumetric dust monitoring. In mid 2012 four depositional dust gauges were installed in key locations around the • Transport is a significant source of The new gas fired power station built on operation, with the view of installing a particulate matter, as well as oxides the grounds of the Munmorah Power fifth. These gauges will provide monthly of nitrogen and volatile organic Station was opened on 21st December depositional dust results. LakeCoal also compounds. The Shire’s growth and 2009. Known as Colongra Gas Turbines, plan to install a single real-time or high residents’ increasing dependency on this plant will help secure future power volume PM monitor by the beginning 10 motor vehicles will result in increasing supply across New South Wales and of 2013. This information will be made emissions. lower greenhouse gas emissions. With publically available and will be included in • Continued demand for electricity a capacity of 667 megawatts, it will this report in years to come. generation by power stations fuelled generate enough power for 700,000 by burning of coal will impact on air homes every hour it operates while The following air pollution incidents were quality and greenhouse emissions. producing about 40% less greenhouse reported to the OEH Environment Line gas emissions compared to coal-fired over the past four reporting periods. power plants. Colongra is designed to There appears to be little correlation meet demand when it peaks during very between the available air quality results hot or cold periods. Gas-fired power and the number of complaints received Environmental Protection Authority and stations can fire up quickly at times of each year. Council respond to air quality complaints peak demand compared to coal-fired as they occur. There is also continued power stations. assessment of development applications and related air quality issues based on the OEH and NEPM legislation guidelines.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 125 The OEH air quality monitoring station at Wyong Air Pollution and Health: KEY FACTS Race Club has also been established in response to community concerns about air quality. This station will provide real-time data that will be Results of many scientific studies over locally relevant and publically available on the OEH Air Quality Data webpage. several decades provide compelling and consistent evidence about how air pollution can affect people’s health.
Presently we have inadequate and inconsistent For example: monitoring for comparative purposes, however, from the available data the trend is showing • Air pollution is responsible for 2.3% of all deaths in increased particulate matter over time. This has Australia. implications for future air quality, particularly • Between 640 and 1400 people die prematurely given the northern part of the Shire will each year due to air pollution in the Sydney Greater be a focus for further industrial and urban Metropolitan region. development in the future and hence any • Air pollution causes more premature deaths in NSW per increase in particulate matter may exacerbate the year than road accidents. air quality issue. • Air pollution causes almost 2000 hospitalisations per year in Sydney Greater Metropolitan region. Climate models surveyed by the Bureau of • Air pollution costs NSW around $ 4.7 billion dollars per Meteorology suggest sea surface temperatures year in health costs. in the tropical Pacific Ocean will maintain values close to El Niño thresholds before returning Source: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/ to more neutral values in early 2013. A long, environment/air/media.asp hot summer is likely to result in an increased incidence of bush fires, which have a significant impact on air quality. In the long term, climate change is also likely to further add to the bushfire risk.
Improved access to real-time air quality monitoring data will provide a clearer understanding of the Shire’s air quality on a daily basis and over time will provide a valuable insight into local air quality trends.
REFERENCES
http://www.de.com.au/ArticleDocuments/42/ Colongra%20booklet%20-%20DE431.pdf.aspx http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/air/ actionforair/ http://www.ephc.gov.au/taxonomy/term/23 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/ http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/ environment/air/media.asp
Fire at Watanobbi photo courtesy of Shane Geerin, taking The Lakes Team Rural Fire Service 126 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 127 Rock platform Shelly Beach
taking 128 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire CLIMATE CHANGE
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 129 Climate Change AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Over the past year or two the science of climate change has been widely contested in the public media, well outside the rigour of peer reviewed scientific literature. However in spite of this ill-informed confusion, the climate scientists continue to advance their understanding of the climate systems. Many of the changes being observed provide strong and clear evidence that climate change is happening and that temperatures are increasing. Similarly, also known with a high level of confidence is that the primary cause of the observed warming and associated changes since the mid-20th century is a result of greenhouse gas emissions due to human causes (DCCE 2011).
State Rating 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Records Tumble……2011 Declining Declining Declining
CSIRO projections indicate that by 2070 • Warm, wet year for Sydney average summer temperatures will be • Wettest year since 2007 3°C warmer (OEH 2010). Along the coast, • 19th consecutive year with above average sea-levels are rising resulting in coastal erosion and recession. The potential temperatures for increases in frequency and severity • Most hot nights on record of flood-producing storm events will exacerbate the risks to coastal properties as well as inundate low-lying areas (OEH Rainfall 2010). Following a dry start to the year, including the driest February in thirty For Sydney and Central Coast regions years, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports 2011 was the wettest summer rainfall is expected to increase by year for Sydney since 2007. 20-50% with a smaller increase in spring. Winter rainfall is expected to decrease. Temperature El Nino years are likely to continue to be drier than average and become hotter. The average maximum temperature in Sydney during 2011 was 22.6 La Nina years are likely to continue to be °C, 0.9 °C above the historical average and the 19th consecutive warm wetter than average and also become year. Minimum temperatures were also 1 °C above average for the 41st hotter (OEH 2010). consecutive year, although cooler than both 2010 and 2009. There were 24 days above 30 °C during the year, the highest since 2006, of which 5 While there is still substantial year to reached 35 °C. There were also a record-breaking 7 nights above 24 °C, year variability, the mean temperature in most of which fell during February; the previous record was three hot Australia has increased by about 0.7°C nights, set in 2010. In comparison, no nights during 2011 fell below 5 °C, since 1960. Some areas have experienced compared to a historical average of three nights. a warming of 1.5 to 2ºC over the last 50 years. Warming has occurred in all seasons, however the strongest warming Hot Days has occurred in spring (about 0.9°C) and the weakest in summer (about 0.4°C) Maximum temperatures were well above average across NSW between January 30 and February 6, with the largest anomalies persisting along the Central Coast where an extended hot spell was experienced and numerous records broken. Source – Bureau of Meteorology 2012 (BOM)
taking 130 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire It is virtually certain that the global average Number of record hot day maximums at Australian climate reference stations temperature will continue to rise through the 21st century, which is very likely to lead to an increase in the number, length and intensity of heat waves over many of the regions where we live.
Scientists can project with greater confidence future trends in temperature than projections for rainfall. Further, there is greater confidence in projections at global and continental scales than at regional and local scales. However, 90% of climate models’ simulations agree we can expect to see an increase in extended dry periods by the end of this century for southwest and southeast Australia, implying a higher risk for drought. This projection is consistent with trends that have already been observed and with scientists’ current (CSIRO 2012). understanding of the physical processes Cummulative rainfall that underpin these trends.
Similarly, scientists say that the long dry periods will be interrupted by an increase in heavy rainfall events. However, that on average, the south of the continent will likely be drier in the future compared to mid twentieth century, particularly in the cooler months of the year.
These changes have the potential to impact agriculture, water security, natural systems and the Australian economy, highlighting the need to enhance our community capacity to adapt to both floods and droughts and build society’s resilience to these anticipated changes. Cumulative rainfall variations (in mm) from the long term average for southeastern Australia for the period January 1997 to December 2011. Individual monthly variations One of the significant impacts of climate are shown in the columns. change is that posed to human health. Serious environmental health impacts Trend in annual rainfall 1960-2009 (mm per decade) include exhaustion and heart failure due to heatwaves, asthma attacks from bushfire smoke and post-traumatic stress from natural disasters such as droughts, cyclones, floods and bushfires. In the worst case scenarios these events have cost billions of dollars in damages and led to deaths. Scientists expect that these health impacts will be exacerbated as climate change continues.
Trend over five decades of rainfall decreasing across much of southern and eastern Australia (Source: BOM in CSIRO State of the Climate 2012) creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 131 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Adaptation Plan in line with the direction Until June 2012 funding for outlined by its Insurer Statewide Mutual. implementation of projects that delivered • Annual emissions for the year to reduced emissions equal to or greater March 2012 are estimated to have Other policies and plans Wyong Council than the green energy equivalent could increased by 0.3% compared to the has in place to guide development be sourced through the Green Energy year to March 2011, steadily returning and strategic planning decisions when Fund. This fund no longer exists providing to the peak observed in the year to considering climate change include: no recurrent funding mechanism for March 2009. The increase in annual • Estuary Management Plan implementation for energy saving emissions reflects increased emissions • Draft Tuggerah Lakes Floodplain Risk projects. from transport and agriculture and was Management Plan partially offset by decreases in annual • WaterPlan 2050 emissions from electricity, stationary • Coastal Zone Management Plan energy excluding electricity, fugitive • WSC Climate Change Adaptation emissions and industrial processes. Report (2010) The effects of climate change will • The electricity sector has experienced • Regional Climate Change Adaptation progressively and significantly impact the strongest growth since 1990, Plan (HCCREMS). on Council and the community. The increasing by 49.1%. Emissions from Throughout 2011/12 asset management 2011 Central Coast Research Foundation transport grew 40.6%. In contrast, staff committed to including climate Environmental Attitudes Survey found emissions from the agriculture and change in the development of the latest that 67% of their respondents agree or waste sectors have declined since 1990, Asset Management Plans. Future Plans strongly agree that climate change will by 1.5% and 19.1% respectively (DCCEE will identify specific assets vulnerable to have a direct impact on their lives in the 2012). climate change impacts and investigate next 20 years (CCRF 2011). Similarly, 85% actions to remediate the risks. of Central Coast survey respondents want action to address climate change with Meanwhile the Hunter and Central Coast 53% of all respondents wanting action Regional Environmental Management now. Strategy (HCCREMS) was successful in gaining funding to implement the Council has a role in preparing the Drive organisational wide action recommendations of the Regional Climate community for the unavoidable impacts to support Council’s response and Change Adaptation Plan. Through a of climate change, but at this stage does preparedness for the future impacts of collaborative effort with 14 other Hunter/ not have the resources to implement such climate change: Throughout 2011/12 the Central Coast councils, this project has a program. Statewide Climate Change Adaptation sought to develop a Decision Support Report (2010) was revised. Updated Tool to assist councils in understanding REFERENCES Adaptation Plans completed and some of the triggers and risks common consultation with Council Directors and to all the coastal councils in the Hunter Central Coast Region Research Managers underway for implementation region. Foundation (2011) Environmental at the Service Unit level. Attitudes Survey It is quite clear that strong global DECCW 2010 Summary of Climate Responding to many of the anticipated mitigation measures are necessary if the Change Impacts Central Coast Region impacts of climate change will fall under more severe consequences of climate Dept Climate Change and Energy the responsibility of local government. change are to be avoided. In terms of Efficiency 2012 ‘National Greenhouse Typical functions of Council to be affected Australia’s contribution, this will hopefully Gas Inventory-Quarterly Report’ http:// by these impacts including: be achieved through the proposed www.climatechange.gov.au/~/media/ carbon pricing mechanism outlined by climate-change/emissions/2012-mar/ • Infrastructure and property services the Federal Government for 2012. ationalGreenhouseGasInventory- • Provision of recreation facilities QuarterlyReport-March2012.pdf • Health services To address the risk of a liability under The Climate Commission 2012 ‘The • Planning and development approvals the Carbon Pricing Mechanism Council Critical Decade: Climate Change and • Natural resource management has begun to prepare its greenhouse gas Health’ • Water and sewerage services inventory. To complement the inventory a The Climate Commissions 2012 ‘The program of emission reduction strategies Science behind Southeast Australia’s To reduce some of the anticipated has been implemented (see Energy Wet, Cool Summer’ 2012 www. negative social, environmental and page 134). The program is based on the climatecommission.gov.au economic impacts of climate change Council adopted Carbon Management CSIRO 2012 ‘State of the Climate Report‘ Wyong Council has committed to Hierarchy which focuses on the principles http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/ developing and implementing an of ‘avoid, reduce and replace before statements/scs27.pdf offsetting’ to effectively reduce emissions. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/ annual/nsw/sydney.shtml taking 132 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire ENERGY
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 133 Energy AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Energy significantly contributes to all sectors of the economy, including supplying power to households, industry, and transport.
The amount and type of energy used by Clean Energy Future industry and to an extent households, State Rating has considerable implications for the The implementation of carbon pricing environment, including: from 1 July 2012 has placed an increased 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 • Depletion of natural resources by: emphasis on the need to reduce Declining* Declining Declining • Use of large quantities of water, and greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon • Clearing of vegetation through our pricing mechanism is described briefly *Rating of declining is based on a predicted insatiable demand for more power below. increase in energy consumption leading to an and therefore construction of new increase in greenhouse gas emissions. power stations (e.g. clearing for Carbon price: a two-stage approach Colongra gas pipeline). 1. Fixed price period—The carbon Increasing population, high economic • Greenhouse gas emissions and air pricing mechanism will commence growth and high wages have led to pollution (see Climate Change page on 1 July 2012, with a price that will behavioural and lifestyle changes 130). be fixed for the first three years. The which increase consumer demand and price will start at $23 per tonne and consumption habits. Electricity is the The intended consequences of the will rise at 2.5 per cent each year in most common energy source used by carbon pricing strategy are to reduce real terms. NSW households to power home heating energy consumption and to encourage 2. Emissions trading scheme—On and cooling systems with an estimated the development of power stations using 1 July 2015, the carbon price will 1,321,600 or 50% of NSW households alternative energy sources such as wind transition to a fully flexible price using either ducted, split system or and solar. The impact on Council will be under an emissions trading scheme, portable air-conditioning to cool their costs due to direct emissions (such as with the price determined by the homes (ABS 2008). Buttonderry Waste Managament Facility) market. and costs due to indirect emissions (such In broad energy terms fossil fuels as the use of electricity). The increased Coverage currently meet 97% of New South Wales cost of generating electricity from a coal- energy demands, with transport and its fired power station arising from carbon Broad coverage, encompassing the associated demand for fuel continuing pricing will be “passed through” to to be the sector with the greatest use stationary energy sector, transport, consumers, including Council. It should industrial processes, non-legacy waste, of fossil fuels and strongest growth in be noted that the Federal Government is demand. One quarter of the energy and fugitive emissions. A carbon price will providing assistance to households and not apply to household transport fuels, we use is electricity, most of which heavy industries to offset this cost. There comes from coal fired generators which light vehicle business transport and off- is no direct assistance to Councils, except road fuel use by the agriculture, forestry contributes 36% of the country’s net for the opportunity to compete for the carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions and fishing industries. An effective carbon limited grant funding of energy saving price will be applied to domestic aviation, (AUA 2008). In the NSW State Plan projects. the Government has determined that domestic shipping, rail transport, and renewable energy will be a priority with non-transport use of fuels. Users of these electricity supplied from renewable fuels can opt-in to the mechanism under sources (other than Snowy Hydro) more the Opt-in Scheme. than tripling from 2003 to 2008. In spite of this, in 2009 only 6% of electricity was International linking from renewable sources such as solar, wind and biomass (NSW SoE 2009). International linking to credible international carbon markets and emissions trading schemes from the commencement of the flexible price period. At least half of a liable party’s compliance obligation must be met through the use of domestic permits or credits.
taking 134 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Industry assistance Council’s Electricity The Program was designed to ensure that industry, local communities and workers Consumption have a smooth transition to a clean energy future and that these industries In 2011/12 Council’s total electricity have a strong incentive to reduce their consumption was 36,101 MWh at a cost of carbon pollution. approximately $7.8m. A significant part of this cost is due to service charges for street lighting (about $2m). Council’s strategy to Energy Security reduce these costs is to minimise energy consumption and obtain the best rates from An Energy Security Fund will be the electricity supplier. Council has signed up established to ensure there is a smooth to contracts to minimise energy charges. This transition which preserves energy provides competitive rates for the energy security. The Energy Security Fund components of the bill for a large site and comprises two elements: a discount for small sites. However, the 1. An allocation of free carbon units network charges for a large site (about 50% and cash payments to strongly of the bill) are passed through and cannot be affected coal-fired electricity minimised, as they are set by the regulator. generators. These allocations will be conditional on electricity generators Energy usage by Council department. strongly affected by a carbon price 2011/12 publishing Clean Energy Investment Percentage Plans, which show how they will Description Energy (kWh) reduce their pollution, and by Water & Sewerage 22,852,291 63.30% meeting power system reliability Roads & Stormwater 6,810,290 18.86% standards. Sport, Leisure & 2. The Government will seek to Recreation 2,411,487 6.68% negotiate the closure of around 2,000 Governance 2,024,223 5.61% megawatts (MW) of highly polluting generation capacity by 2020. Closing Plant, Fleet & Depots 882,906 2.45% down some of our highest polluting Open Space 313,813 0.87% coal-fired generation capacity Community & Cultural makes room for investment in lower Development 271,436 0.75% pollution plants—and kick starts Lifelong Learning 229,680 0.64% the transformation of our energy Waste 175,671 0.49% industry in a managed way. Community Buildings 116,769 0.32% Property Services 6,913 0.02% Household Assistance Other 5,151 0.01% Assistance for Australian households, through tax cuts and increased payments, to help them with increased living costs as a result of the introduction of a carbon price.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 135 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
This shows that the bulk of the electricity The significant increase in consumption consumption is by Water & Sewerage in 2011/12 is due to the impact of the facilities (63.3%), followed by Roads Mardi – Mangrove Pipeline, which has been & Stormwater (18.86%), Sport Leisure commissioned to ensure the continued & Recreation (6.68%) and Governance security of the region’s water supply. (5.61%). Typical facilities by Department are as follows: Council’s Greenhouse Impact
Department Typical Facilities Consumption of 36,101 MWh in 2011/12 Water & Treatment plants equates to a greenhouse gas emission Sewerage and pumping of 32,129 tonnes of greenhouse gases stations (carbon-dioxide equivalent) (CO2-e). Of the total consumption about 350 MWh was Roads & Streetlighting sourced from green energy which reduced Stormwater the GHG emissions by 311 tonnes CO2-e. Sport, Leisure Sporting fields, & Recreation holiday parks Governance Wyong Civic According to this directive, Council Centre will address opportunities to avoid activities that emit greenhouse gases, Plant, Fleet & Operational improve resource efficiency to reduce Depots Depots • Increasing population. emissions per unit output, and replace Open Space Parks and • Higher per capita consumption. high-carbon energy sources with low- reserves • Growing cost of energy in NSW. carbon alternatives. Where none of the • High car ownership. Community Community previous options are available, Council • Large commuter population. & Cultural centres will continue to implement a number • Increasing community awareness of the Development of offsetting initiatives including the climate change issue. Lifelong Libraries and purchase of Green Energy, the offsetting • Council’s commitment to implementing Learning child care centres of fleet vehicles fuel emissions and energy and greenhouse reduction Waste Buttonderry the installation of methane recovery strategies. Waste technology at Buttonderry Waste • New legislation and regulations on Management Management Facility. Council and the community in relation Facility to energy saving and greenhouse Community Halls and toilets Prior to the adoption of the Carbon reductions e.g. proposed amendment to Buildings Management Hierarchy the purchase the Energy Administration Amendment of GreenPower was an integral part of Property Cottages (Water and Energy Savings) Act 2005 Council’s effort to reduce its greenhouse Services will make it mandatory for Council to gas emissions. In 2010/11 Council undertake committed actions in its changed its approach to the purchase Council’s Consumption Trends Energy Savings Action Plan. of green energy for its large sites. The • Impact of additional energy funds set aside for the purchase of green The following table shows the consumption due to commissioning of energy at these sites was set aside for consumption trends since 2006/07: the Mardi Suite of Works and the Mardi- projects to reduce Councils greenhouse Mangrove Link project. gas emissions. Council continued its Year Energy used Change • Water consumption and reuse. (kWh) from commitment to purchasing 25% green previous power for the smaller Council buildings year and 10% green power for waste and water sites. 2006/07 24,761,646 0.0% 2007/08 30,913,117 24.8% The NSW Government requires Local Wyong Shire Council has demonstrated Government Areas with a population over its commitment to reducing energy and 2008/09 33,536,437 8.5% 50,000 people to develop Energy Savings its carbon footprint by adopting the Action Plans (ESAP). Management and 2009/10 33,776,039 0.7% Carbon Management Hierarchy as the operational actions were identified in basis for managing its greenhouse gas 2010/11 33,795,340 0.1% Council’s Energy Savings Action Plan performance, thus enabling a long-term adopted in August 2008. 2011/12 36,100,628 6.8% strategy to effectively reduce the amount Source: Wyong Council of greenhouse gases generated in Council operations.
taking 136 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Through the Energy Saving Action Plan funding. The purchase of GreenPower 50W have been replaced by compact a number of projects were investigated, also has the benefit of creating fluorescent types consuming only 6W. some of which were not viable. A demand for Australian Government The effect of all this will be to achieve number of energy saving initiatives have Accredited renewable energy which permanent reductions in Council’s energy been identified at Council’s Holiday will assist in the development of consumption. Parks through the development of an large scale projects across Australia environmental management plan. Some and support the creation of green of these initiatives include solar panels for jobs. This is essential if Australia is to electricity and water heating, and the use make a genuine transition to a low of energy efficient appliances. The Energy carbon economy within the timeframe Even at the current level of demand, there Saving Committee is looking to review required to avoid the serious impacts will be considerable challenges to meet energy saving issues including educating of climate change. the estimated increase in future energy staff on energy efficiency at work. • Project 3: Funded development of a cost given the imminent introduction (in The Waste and Sustainability Model to optimise sewage treatment 2012) of an Emissions Trading Scheme Improvement Payment (WaSIP) plant processes for Wyong South aimed at reducing carbon emissions. In program forms part of the NSW Office Sewage Treatment Plant and provide addition, total energy demand across of Environment and Heritage’s City opportunities for significant energy Australia is projected to increase by 50% and Country Environment Restoration savings, thereby leading to better by 2020 and it is anticipated that to meet Program, and assists Councils to invest utilisation of equipment. Data can the nation’s energy demands will require in additional actions and programs also be obtained to determine the at least $37 billion in energy investment that improve waste and sustainability appropriate capital upgrades. (Energy Matters 2008). This makes the outcomes across their local government • Project 4: Proximity switches are being actual cost of electricity consumption and areas. installed at Wyong Civic Centre so that the cost of infrastructure development WaSIP funding provided opportunities lights in passageways only operate as unsustainable in financial and to implement a number of projects required (Project 4). environmental terms. identified in the Energy Saving Action • Project 5: Energy consumption Plan: reduction plan implemented at the REFERENCES Charmhaven Depot through the • Project 1: Aims to improve energy installation of energy efficient devices, Energy Savings Action Plan (March 2007) efficiency from 1.43 to 2.7 EER such as LED lighting, and Voltage Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008) (Energy Efficiency Ratio = energy Reduction Devices (VRD) for the Department of the Environment, out / energy in) by replacing two workshops. Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) air conditioning systems in Council • Installation of wireless sub-metering (2008) Energy Use in the Australian Chambers (one of Council’s top ten at Wyong Civic Centre will enable staff Residential Sector 1990-2020 http:// energy producing sites). Both systems to obtain an accurate measurement www.environment.gov.au/settlements/ are operating at 1960’s efficiencies and of energy usage. A system that is energyefficiency/buildings/publications/ are consuming considerable electricity able to identify and report on the pubs/energyuse-part1.pdf and contributing unnecessarily to energy consumption throughout the Energy Matters (2008) http://www. greenhouse gas emissions. The new building, to individual distribution energymatters.com.au/faqs/energy- systems can reduce emissions by 95 boards, will help monitor the major consumption-australia.php tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalents pieces of equipment that use energy http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/[email protected] (CO2-e) per annum. (e.g.: a/c units) and enable targeted /39433889d406eeb9ca2570610019e9a5/ • Project 2: GreenPower represents an improvements to be made. f4dfb2708feecd63ca2574660010f0cc!Ope important component of Council’s nDocument greenhouse gas emissions mitigation Department OF Environment and plans. Project 2 proposes to reduce T5 LIGHTING Heritage (2009) NSW State of the black energy consumption in the Environment Report http://www. Council Chambers by increasing the A major focus to reduce energy environment.nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2009/ GreenPower purchased from 25% to consumption in 2011/12 was the use of chapter3/chp_3.2.htm 50% (with WaSIP only to fund the T5 lighting. The standard “T8” fluorescent cleanenergyfuture.gov.au difference in cost between the two). tube rated at 36W will consume about This project will help Council reduce 40W with the ballast. By comparison, its emissions output in the immediate a “T5” lamp which is thinner and more (445 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide efficient consumes about 25W. Council equivalents (CO2-e) per annum), whilst has now installed T5 lamps throughout additional renewable energy and Civic Centre and at all of the Libraries energy efficiency measures are fully and Child Care Centres. In addition, many investigated for subsequent WaSIP halogen downlights that were rated at
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 137 Compost Community Workshop taking 138 shape creatingcreating a a caring, caring, prosperous, prosperous, sustainable sustainable Wyong Wyong Shire Shire Waste and Resource Recovery
Compost Community Workshop creatingcreating a a caring, caring, prosperous, prosperous, sustainable sustainable Wyong Wyong Shire Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 139 Waste and Resource Recovery AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Solid waste is defined as material residue or by-product discarded during or after resource extraction, production and/or consumption. The amount of solid waste generated by a community depends on a range of factors, including the strength of the economy, community values and socio-economic status. Together with the USA and Canada, Australia is consistently among the top ten global producers of waste per capita and is the third-highest generator of waste in OECD countries (ABS, 2007).
Sound environmental management of the vegetation. The waste bin is serviced Total Waste Buttonderry Waste Management Facility weekly and the recycling and vegetation (BWMF), in compliance with all legislative bins are serviced fortnightly on alternate The Shire experienced a 1.4% overall requirements is a core role of Council’s weeks. Commercial customers can be decrease (1948 tonnes) in the amount Waste Unit. This includes appropriate provided with the standard recycling bin, of waste landfilled in 2011/12 management of potential environmental standard vegetation bin and waste bins of compared to 2010/11. This confirms impacts, including: varying sizes. that current trends in landfilling across • Leachate – the liquid that percolates all sectors are currently stable. through landfill material carrying The BWMF is located on Hue Hue Road, soluble contaminants Jilliby, The site has DA approval for • Greenhouse gases – decomposing landfilling over 120ha, with approximately Municipal Waste organic material releases methane, a 25ha used at the present time. It Municipal Waste consists of both long-term greenhouse gas pollutant has an expected total landfill life of domestic waste and Council waste. over with a global warming potential approximately 45 years on the Eastern It includes wastes collected from 21 times that of carbon dioxide side of Buttonderry Creek, with future households as well as waste collected • Stormwater and sediment runoff – capacity on the Western side of the site. by Councils from municipal parks and while not in direct contact with landfill, Approximately 140,000 tonnes of waste gardens, street sweepings, public places stormwater needs to be appropriately are land filled per annum at the BWMF. and council engineering works. managed through the use of control Ancillary activities include crushing of measures such as detention basins and concrete (4,000t/yr) for operational reuse, 2011/12 shows an increase of 4.1% vegetative filters to ensure minimal collection of scrap metal (1,300t/yr) for (2856 tonnes) compared to 2010/11 impact on surrounding waterways recycling and processing of organics which is most likely reflective of the (40,000t/yr). increasing domestic population in the Shire and the number of properties There are eight closed landfills in the serviced. Shire - Bateau Bay, Mardi, Gwandalan, State Rating Shelly Beach, Tumbi Umbi, Toukley, Under the current waste collection Warnervale and North Entrance. The 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 and recycling service introduced in North Entrance site is no longer in Stable Stable Stable 2008 a broader range of recyclables Council’s ownership and is now used are accepted than previously and the Waste collection and recycling services as a golf course with adjoining sites introduction of a third bin allows the in the Shire are provided under a developed for residential and commercial more efficient storage of recyclables. contractual arrangement. The services uses. All closed landfills are classified provided include the collection of waste, as potentially contaminated land recyclable materials, garden vegetation, under the Contaminated Lands Act Domestic Recycling and bulk kerbside material, litter bin waste and Council is required to investigate Resource Recovery and some commercial waste. All waste the sites and undertake rehabilitation collected is disposed of at the BWMF. works (if required) in order to minimise The State Government Waste Avoidance environmental impacts. Council has a and Resource Recovery (WARR) Act All residential properties in the Shire are program in place to rehabilitate these 2001 (and more recently the WARR provided with a 140 litre Mobile Garbage sites over the next seven years. Strategy 2007) set targets for resource Bin (MGB) for waste collection and a 240 recovery in the municipal, commercial litre MGB for recycling. All households and industrial (C&I), and construction east of the Freeway (F3) are also and demolition (C&D) sectors. The provided with a 240 litre MGB for garden State targets are: • Municipal waste – 66% • Commercial and Industrial – 63% • Construction and demolition – 76% taking 140 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Quantities of waste landfilled in 2010/11 and 2011/12
Construction Commercial and and Demolition Municipal Industrial (C&I) (C&D) Total landfilled* Year Tonnes Kg per Tonnes Kg per Tonnes Kg per Tonnes Kg per person person person person 2010/11 68,720 453 39,668 261 33,372 220 142,274 938 2011/12 71,576 472 31,357 206 32,993 217 140,326 926
* miscellaneous wastes outside these categories account for 4,400 tonnes in 2011/12. Note: Soil generated by Council operations is classified as Construction and Demolition waste.
Local Councils have direct control Resource Recovery by Month 2011/12 and responsibility over municipal and domestic (household) waste through their kerbside services, infrastructure provision and educational activities. However, Councils have only indirect influence over the C&I and C&D sectors.
Only five Councils in the state have reached the 66% municipal resource recovery target. All of these Councils either collect both food waste with garden organics for reprocessing, or send their mixed waste to Alternative Waste Technology (AWT) facilities.
In the most recent publicly available state-wide comparisons, Wyong Council ranked in the top 20 Councils for domestic (household) resource recovery Domestic waste Domestic vegetation recycling performance (Review of Waste Policy Domestic mixed recycling Bulk Kerbside collection and Strategy in NSW 2010). Wyong Shire Council uses one of the preferred 3 bin Kerbside Vegetation recycled Kerbside scrap metal recycled systems nominated by OEH in their Best Bin Systems – Preferred resource Recovery Practices by Local Councils 2011. Council Waste During 2011/12 total domestic resource recovery fluctuated between 48% and The following table shows the amount of Some Council materials, such as soils 52% each month, with an overall annual waste generated from Council activities from road works, which were previously recovery rate of approximately 52%. and works. used for alternative purposes, are now classified as waste materials and therefore Based on the Office of Environment and Total tonnage included in overall waste figures. Heritage, Benefits of Recycling Calculator, Year (t) the WSC yellow bin mixed recycling 2010/11 18,965 tonnages equate to the following environmental benefits: 2011/12 19,726 • 2,259 cars permanently removed from Note: The tonnages shown are included as part the roads of the Municipal Waste shown in Quantities of • 1,444 households’ annual electricity waste landfilled in 2010/11 and 2011/12. requirements saved • Annual water usage of 3,317 people, The quantities of Council waste are or 5,642 average sized backyard subject to significant fluctuations due to swimming pools of water saved the nature of Council works.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 141 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
• Rehabilitation of Closed Key drivers for change in waste and Complete detailed design for Mardi, resource recovery include: Gwandalan & Toukley closed land fills: Landfills • Mardi: The concept design has been • Increasing waste levy charged by the completed. Investigations are in Progressive rehabilitation will occur in NSW government progress for the preparation of DA order of priority i.e. Mardi (2012/13) • Alternative Waste Technology System documentation under preparation followed by Gwandalan (2013/14), (AWT) Technology for lodgement end of 2012. The followed by Warnervale (2013/14), Shelly • Need to minimise emissions of detailed design documentation is to Beach (2014/15), Tumbi Umbi (2015/16) greenhouse gases be finalised in 2013. and Toukley (2016/17). • • Generation of greenhouse gases and Gwandalan: The design has been utilisation of methane gas generated delayed. Consideration of potential Landfill Gas Capture by the landfill alternative end uses for the site has required an amendment to the • Community expectations In 2011/12 Council doubled the electricity Remediation Action Plan (RAP). • Changing legislation influencing work generation capacity by installing a Negotiations with the owner practices and procedures new 1MW generator. The generator is (Darkinjung LALC) of part of the site • Loss of finite resources contained in a win-win-win, providing benefits for have progressed but are still to be the waste the environment, the community and finalised. Pre-design investigations • Energy and water use in the the Council. Powered by methane gas required by the Remediation Action production, consumption and disposal extracted from landfill, the generator Plan will take place in 2012/13. life-cycle of materials prevents this powerful greenhouse gas Tenders invited for design in • Loss of habitat to landfill excavations from leaking into the atmosphere. • Land contamination and sterilisation 2012/13. • Toukley: The scope of design work • Potential for surface and groundwater Creating enough energy to power is currently being finalised. Detailed pollution around 4,000 households, the methane design is planned to be completed • Noise, odour, littering and other extraction program is an environmentally by the end of 2012/13. impacts on local amenities progressive way of powering the Shire. By • Contamination of bushland from illegal extracting methane from landfill, Council Further to the above responses, Council dumping is taking the initiative to minimise its has undertaken a number of additional liability under the Carbon Pricing initiatives to improve waste and resource recovery including: • Preparation of a long term waste Electronic Waste • Implement Litter Management Plan: strategy for BWMF that incorporates Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest The original Litter Management Plan Alternative Waste Technologies (AWT). • growing domestic waste stream in was superseded by the Integrated Establishment of appropriate sites Australia and poses considerable storage Litter and Illegal Dumping Plan. that have all required approvals and and toxicity problems for both councils Implementation of the integrated licenses for the temporary storage of and their communities. With the imminent plan commenced during 2011/12. Council waste materials suitable for digital switch over, the quantities of old Updated annual actions for 2011/12 re-use or recycling and/or reprocessing televisions and computers are set to were submitted to the Environment to maximise resource recovery and dramatically increase. E-waste poses a Protection Agency (EPA) and approved minimise landfilling and associated risk to both the environment and human in June 2012. disposal costs. • health, and contains a range of toxic, rare • Undertake a feasibility study for Prevention of illegal dumping and and valuable resources. establishment of soil processing avoidance of illegal storage and facility: The majority of soil received by disposal of Council waste from all Each tonne of e-waste recycled equals 3.5 the Buttonderry Waste Management operational area including Virgin tonnes of carbon emissions reductions Facility is comprised of road excavated Excavated Natural Materials (VENM), as well as the conservation of finite material. A recent change in legislation soils, concrete, mulches, seagrass and natural resources. Enthusiastic public permits the exemption of the majority kelp. participation in Council’s free e-waste of the excavated material which is drop-off recycling program at Buttonderry managed by Roads & Stormwater. The Waste Management Facility helped to management of the residual soil (non- dramatically reduce the carbon footprint exempted material and other soils) is of the area in 2011/12. Huge public currently being investigated. interest and participation in the free drop-off program has meant that Council taking 142 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire collected over 200 tonnes of e-waste. By recycling over 95% of this waste, Council has reduced the carbon footprint of the community by about 800 tonnes.
Council has committed to continuing this popular and successful program, dedicating $90,000 per annum. In 2012/13 Council will investigate the possibility of e-waste kerb-side collection to ensure equity of access to the program for all residents.
Problem Wastes
The household waste stream is becoming more complex, due to the ever increasing range of products that are available for purchase and will eventually require end- of-life management. When the majority of waste was disposed to a sanitary landfill there was less need to worry about individual items in the waste stream. With more complex modern waste management systems, it is increasingly important to prepare the waste stream in order to maximise its resource recovery potential.
‘Problem wastes’ for the Central Coast include items that require special attention because they either: have a very high resource value; contain hazardous materials; reduce the effectiveness of current and future resource recovery operations; may be illegally dumped and cause litter; or could be better managed through other systems, such as Product Stewardship programs. Problem wastes include materials such as: • Electronic waste (e-waste, such as TVs, computers and peripherals) • Mobile phones • Car batteries • Household chemicals (e.g. paint, cleaning products, adhesives, solvents) • Fluorescent lights • Gas bottles • Tyres • Sharps and clinical waste • Pharmaceuticals • Nappies • Asbestos
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 143 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Batteries and fluorescent lights contain Organic Recycling Education Construction and Demolition harmful elements such as mercury, Program alkaline and lead acid, which can cause While the smallest component of major environmental hazards, and can the three waste streams locally, there In 2011/12 Council ramped up its efforts also pose a serious health risk, with the are opportunities to recycle much of to educate and engage the community in mercury in just one fluorescent tube this C&D waste. However, as a large the benefits and ways of recycling organic polluting up to 30,000 litres of water. component of the building waste waste, holding 24 workshops for over A new recycling program for batteries, received at BWMF is co-mingled it cannot 600 residents. Food waste is a significant light globes and fluorescent tubes has be diverted easily for reprocessing and challenge both nationally and in the started at Council’s Customer Contact is therefore destined for landfilling. A Wyong Shire, comprising over 36% of the Centres and Libraries. Residents are differential pricing structure is in place domestic waste stream. The workshops encouraged to bring unwanted batteries where mixed waste attracts the highest are funded through the WaSIP program. and fluorescent lights to collection points charge and source-separated recyclable across the Shire, rather than having to materials receive no charge or a lower Through these innovative recycled wait for twice yearly chemical collection charge. days. The recycling program has been organics workshops, Council is educating introduced for a trial period of one the community on how to reuse and year and has been funded by the NSW recycle organic waste. Focusing on a Government’s Waste and Sustainability range of topics including composting, Improvement Payment (WaSIP) program worm farming, chicken-care, mulching to help reduce the amount of materials techniques and no-dig organic being incorrectly disposed of. gardens, the workshops aim to develop It is anticipated that in the future Council residents’ capacity and confidence will have access to Alternative Waste Mattress Recycling Program in the avoidance and responsible Technology for municipal and some management of food waste. Council is commercial waste. This will reduce the also using the workshops as a forum to volume of waste significantly which in Since the mattress recycling program build community sustainability support turn will increase the life of the landfill. In began in August 2011 over 800 old networks. addition, an AWT system renders waste mattresses have been recycled rather inert which means environmental risks than being buried with general waste in and hazard associated with landfilling are the Shire. The mattresses are collected minimised. by recycling firm Dreamsafe and taken Commercial and Industrial to a Newcastle depot where they are Waste A draft Central Coast Waste Strategy dismantled for recycling. So far, the is currently being developed in recycling program has saved about 598 Recycling options for the commercial collaboration with consultants and staff cubic metres of space at Buttonderry. sector are now more flexible than from Gosford City Council. Recycling mattresses not only saves ever. Designated bins for recyclable limited landfill space, it also saves materials can now be provided, that may It is also anticipated that infrastructure resources. The average mattress contains encourage greater recycling and result will be developed to facilitate recycling 12.5kg of steel, 2kg of wood and 1.5kg of in an increased diversion of waste from for commercial and industrial building foam – most of which is recycled. Funds landfill. However, commercial recyclable development and demolition. to extend the trial have been given to materials are generally produced in Council by the NSW government under its large quantities or are oversized (e.g. WaSIP program. cardboard), making the use of household recycling bins inappropriate for all sites. State Government action is therefore required to create infrastructure to facilitate and encourage commercial recycling.
taking 144 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire CULTURAL HERTIAGE
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 145 Cultural Heritage AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Heritage in Wyong Shire includes all the things that make up the local identity – our spirit and ingenuity, our historic buildings and our unique, living landscapes. By protecting, preserving and maintaining the heritage and significant cultures of the past and present we provide future citizens of Wyong Shire, and our visitors, with the opportunity to learn from and enjoy our rich connections with the past.
Over the past 200 years many more The value of Wyong Shire’s natural Aboriginal Heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed heritage is recognised and protected by by activities associated with agriculture, National Parks, nature reserves and open Aboriginal people have occupied the mining and development. The effective space reserves. In total, approximately NSW landscape for more than 42,000 protection and conservation of remaining 65% of the Shire has been left as years and are recognised as part of the sites will assist in maintaining a rich bushland. Protecting Aboriginal and non- oldest and most continuous living culture cultural landscape. In an effort to protect Aboriginal heritage requires respect and in human history. Evidence and important those sites that are still intact, it is an an understanding of places and items cultural meanings relating to this offence to harm an Aboriginal site under with tangible cultural significance (such as occupation are present throughout the the National Parks & Wildlife Act 1974, buildings, monuments, art and artifacts), Shire and are integrated into traditions, where harm is defined as: as well as the related intangible aspects lore, customs and beliefs which link • Destroying, defacing, damaging or of culture (such as folklore, traditions, Aboriginal people to their country. desecrating an object; language and knowledge). • Moving an object from the land on So far, there are over 300 sites of which it is situated; or Aboriginal cultural importance registered • Causing or permitting an object to be with OEH on the Aboriginal Heritage harmed. Information Management System (AHIMS). These include open camp sites, scarred trees, axe griding grooves, rock Non Aboriginal Heritage engravings, shelters with art and / or State Rating deposits, kitchen middens, burial areas Recorded European settlement of the Shire commenced in the 1820’s though 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 and stone arrangements. timber getters worked and lived here Aboriginal NR NR Declining from the 1790s. Settlement spread at Heritage In addition to the tangible remains of occupation, there are many other places a different pace in different areas, not Non Stable Stable Stable taking up the poorer land of Wanervale Aboriginal which hold spiritual, ceremonial, social Heritage and educational value. Tuggerah Lakes and Gorokan until the 1870’s. The Resting Place is the first Aboriginal ‘place’ opening of the Great Northern Railway NR = Not Rated to be registered within Wyong Shire and in the late 1880’s created a much is located entirely within Tuggerah Nature closer link to Sydney, encouraging During the reporting period registered Reserve. agriculture and fishing, sparking the and unregistered Aboriginal sites development of Wyong as a railway town continued to be degraded by The Tuggerah Lakes area is of significance and initiating tourism. Timber getting natural weathering, vandalism and to the local Aboriginal community peaked in the early 1900’s, later giving mismanagement. While vandalism because of its traditional usage. The area way to citrus growing, dairy farming, and arson also pose a constant threat was used for gathering wild resources pastoralism and more recently tourism. to publicly and privately owned non and is also known locally as a traditional Fishing was significant from the earliest Aboriginal heritage sites, they have meeting place. It was a place for learning days. Evidence of this history is found generally been in a stable state over the and education and has a great spiritual throughout the Shire. past twelve months. presence for local Aboriginal people. Today, Tuggerah Lakes Resting Place is Currently, there are 97 items of local also recognised as an Aboriginal reburial European heritage significance in the site where ancestral remains have been Shire listed in Wyong Local Environmental returned to Country and to where other Plan 1991 (Wyong LEP 1991), which cultural material may be repatriated to date back to the early settlements in the Aboriginal community. the 1820s. These include houses, barns, holiday homes, war memorials and
taking 146 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire bridges. The state of at least one privately Wyong LEP 1991 heritage clauses 32 • In August 2012 Council funding for the owned local heritage item has improved to 36 and the heritage categories and management of a site of Aboriginal after it was sold and restored. Council listings contained in Schedule 1. The cultural significance was approved. has limited power to force maintenance Shire-wide Heritage Review involves Aboriginal stakeholders requested unlike State Heritage Items. Local heritage a review of local heritage provisions that the location of the site be kept items power only extends as far as weed including Local Thematic History, private to reduce the risk of vandalism. control and where the building forms a list of Heritage Items included in the Protection works will be undertaken safety concern. Heritage Inventory, conservation in consultation with OEH and local management recommendations and Aboriginal stakeholders and will likely There are now four items listed on the planning controls and guidelines. involve pedestrian diversions, erosion State Heritage Register under the NSW The Shire-wide Heritage Review was and sediment control works and Heritage Act 1977 in Wyong Shire, these completed in mid 2011 and includes vegetation management. include: The Entrance Ocean Pools; an Inventory Database based on the Hargraves House, Noraville; St Barnabas Heritage Branch template. Anglican Church, Yarramalong and Norah • As part of the Shire-wide Heritage Head Lighthouse. Any developments Review, Norah Head Light Station involving items of State significance Precinct will be reclassified as a becomes an integrated development and heritage item of state significance While non Aboriginal heritage sites on requires the concurrence of the NSW under Schedule 1 – Heritage Items land owned and managed by Council are Heritage Office. of Wyong LEP 1991. This will be generally well maintained, there is a risk consistent with its State listing. of incremental loss of privately owned • The 2003/04 audit of Council owned heritage items over time. Continuing non-Aboriginal heritage items pressures from neglect, vandalism fire recommended that conservation and other hazards are likely to continue • Population growth and resultant urban plans and maintenance guidelines to reduce the numbers of existing items, development and redevelopment (e.g. be developed for each item in although this loss will be offset by the The Entrance) accordance with the NSW Heritage listing of new items as time progresses. • Increasing land values resulting in Office. However, these have not yet a push to maximise development commenced on any coordinated basis. Conservation of Aboriginal cultural potential of sites • As part of the EMS an Aboriginal heritage involves identifying, assessing, • Development reflecting current trends Heritage Procedure is being prepared. protecting and maintaining the important rather than the existing character Once completed, the document will cultural heritage values of landscapes, of the area - resulting in the loss guide staff through the due diligence resources, places, objects, customs and of context and the degradation of process when designing and carrying traditions. The complexity of such a streetscapes out activates that could result in harm task is likely to result in the continued • Natural processes of deterioration and to an Aboriginal site. The procedure decline of Aboriginal heritage in the potential climate change impacts is guided by Council’s Cultural Plan Shire. An integral step towards changing • The limited nature of any heritage (2005) and Council’s Aboriginal this outcome would be to ground- incentives or legislation to ensure Heritage policy, which states that “all truth those sites that are registered on preservation of local items of heritage reasonable steps be taken to maintain land under Council’s care and control and interpret sites of Aboriginal to ensure appropriate management importance for the benefit of current practices are in place. Maintaining strong and future generations.” working relationships with Darkinjung • To encourage appropriate Local Aboriginal Land Council and other Council takes heritage issues into management of the Norah Head interested Aboriginal stakeholders, consideration both when assessing Aboriginal sites cluster, Coastcare including Guringai Aboriginal Tribal Link, relevant development applications and invited land managers (including is vital in understanding working priorities when heritage items managed by Council Crown Lands, Council and Aboriginal and investing available resources into are impacted by Council’s works program. stakeholders) to attend a site those projects of greatest cultural During the reporting period there were investigation on 19 April 2012. The significance. a number of actions taken that influence aim of the site visit was to accurately the management of cultural heritage in locate and describe the registered sites REFERENCES the Shire, including the following. within the Norah Head coastal strip • Part of the preparation of the and informally assess their condition. Wyong LEP 1991- Schedule 1 Comprehensive LEP (commenced in The correct coordinates and site details Wyong Shire Heritage Study 1994 – Ron 2008/09) included a review of the were provided to OEH to update the Howard Heritage Conservation Pty Ltd AHIMS register and to support land NSW Heritage Act 1977 management into the future. National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 A Cultural Plan for Wyong Shire 2005 creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 147 NOISE
taking 148 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Noise AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Noise pollution can be defined as unwanted noise that unreasonably intrudes on daily activities. In urban areas, noise pollution has many sources, most of which are associated with urban living (roads, rail, air transport, industry, recreational activities etc.). The level of annoyance or discomfort depends on the type, timing, duration and frequency of the noise, or where the disturbance is unusual.
Noise complaints received by Council by type - 2011/12 Council, OEH and NSW Police receive complaints regarding noise. There is limited available data and insufficient baseline data to establish acceptable benchmarks for gauging whether noise levels are changing in the Shire and establishing a current state rating. However, community response via Council’s Customer Contact line provides an indication of the noise sources that are of concern to the public.
There were a total of 733 noise complaints made during the reporting period. Of this, 74% related to barking dogs and 17% related to general noise pollution (such as amplified music and air conditioners). Noise from animals other than dogs (such as roosters), commercial and industrial development and private development were also the subject of noise complaints, representing 6%, 2% and 1% of calls respectively. It is important to note that complaints are not considered to be an accurate measure of the impact of noise and typically understate it. As a result, the • Increasing population, particularly where Council addresses noise issues as they data on complaints is indicative only. it involves expanding urbanisation arise in planning and pollution control in former rural areas, and urban contexts. Noise buffers are also required There is increasing evidence that the consolidation with incompatible adjacent to ensure acceptable noise standards in presence of quiet areas, both within to land uses new developments (e.g. barriers around and outside homes, results in increased • Increasing volumes of road, rail and air new major roads). wellbeing and reduced annoyance and traffic adverse health impacts. Access from • Planning that results in noise based and Council also respond to community homes to quiet green areas, such as parks use conflicts complaints about noise problems under and reserves, has been shown to reduce the Protection of the Environment noise annoyance and stress-related Operations Act 1997. The following psychological symptoms. These findings table outlines the range of government reinforce the need for planning of agencies responsible for dealing with residential developments as the pressures noise issues. of population growth and greater urban density increase our exposure to the various forms of unwanted noise.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 149 AT A GLANCE KEY DRIVERS RESPONSES FUTURE TRENDS
Noise Source Contact Industrial/commercial noise Smaller factories and backyard workshops Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Commercial premises - ventilation, air Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 conditioning, refrigeration People come to Wyong Shire for Transport noise many reasons, including the quality Aircraft in flight, taxiing, taking off and National Noise Inquiry Line 1300 302 240 of the natural environment and the landing relaxed atmosphere. In planning for new development Council will Noisy motor vehicles (including trail bikes) EPA Environment Line 131 555 aim to maintain these values by in a public place, such as: Police Assistance Line 131 444 avoiding noise-related land-use • roads, verges and car parks Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 conflicts through initial planning, with • off road, including parks and appropriate separations between reserves incompatible land uses. Wherever Noisy motor vehicles (including trail bikes) Police Assistance Line 131 444 possible, urban renewal will be located on private property Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 and designed to minimise noise Road traffic: impacts. • local roads Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 • freeways, tollways, main roads Roads and Maritime Services References Environmental Hotline 1300 308 349 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ Rail noise EPA Environment Line 131 555 soe/soe2009/chapter3/chp_3.5.htm Rail Greenline phone 1300 656 999 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ Naval vessels Defence Department 1300 333 362 contact/EnvironmentLine.htm Recreational boating, jet skis NSW Maritime 131 256 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ Amplified music from vessels NSW Maritime 131 256 resources/noise/10799nglgfull.pdf Water Police (02) 9320 7499 Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Construction noise Road construction EPA Environment Line 131 555 Roads and Maritime Services
Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Building construction Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Major public infrastructure EPA Environment Line 131 555 Public sporting and entertainment venues Motor sports and gun/rifle/pistol clubs Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Sporting facilities Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Aquatic motorised sporting events NSW Maritime 131 256 Concert facilities Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Neighbourhood noise Noise from residential premises, animal Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 noise, barking dogs, power tools, loud Police Assistance Line 131 444 music, air conditioners, pool pumps, etc. Building intruder or car alarms Wyong Shire Council 02 4350 5555 Police Assistance Line 131 444
taking 150 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Community Strategic Plan Objective
Objective Outcomes
Communities will be vibrant, caring The Coastal Zone Management Plan has a considerable focus on increasing partnerships and connected with a sense of with community groups and encouraging participation in programs that increase belonging and pride in their local community knowledge about coastal management issues, add value to the coastal neighbourhood. zone and foster partnerships between individuals, community groups and with Council. These objectives and Actions are outlined in the Coastal Knowledge and Community Involvement Action Plan. Landcare groups bring local people together through a common interest of improving the local environment. The main demographic of the program is seniors, however the program is open to all ages and encourages youth participation through National Green Jobs (Green Corps) projects and Junior Landcare groups, in partnership with schools. The Wyong Shire-wide Heritage Review has been completed, which will inform the Settlement Strategy and feed into the Wyong Local Environmental Plan. The Wyong Shire-wide Heritage Review and Shirewide Settlement Strategy are now complete and will be sent to the Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DP&I) alongside the draft Wyong LEP 2012. The Shirewide Settlement Strategy builds upon the requirements of the Central Coast Regional Strategy (CCRS) and incorporates the Heritage Review and Draft North Wyong Shire Structure Plan. Examples include the identification of how Wyong LGA will meet the required dwelling, population and employment targets to 2031. Council is anticipating public exhibition of these document from mid November 2012 to end January 2013. Communities will have access to The Coastal Zone Management Plan includes actions that aim to contribute towards a diverse range of affordable and enhancing beach access ways, beach amenity and other beach facilities which will in turn coordinated facilities, programs maximise their benefit and use to the community. and services. Areas of natural value in public and Landcare groups actively maintain the habitat of the threatened and endangered species private ownership will be enhanced and ecological communities on 23 project sites. The habitat of the Little Tern population at and retained to a high level in the The Entrance North was protected and monitored, however due to natural environmental context of ongoing development. factors, the colony’s breeding effort failed. The Building Coastal Biodiversity Resilience Action Plan promotes the protection of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and communities in the coastal zone. Actions include: • Conducting a benchmark survey of coastal ecological communities • Strengthening coastal vegetation communities through dune restoration programs • Establishing conservation agreements for high value coastal ecological communities • Supporting Landcare groups, • Working with Office of Environment and Heritiage and Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Authority • Conducting dune stabilisation and revegetation work to encourage sand accretion. The Natural Areas Bush Fire Management Program has undertaken significant analysis and prioritisation of hazard reduction activity undertaken by Council. Fieldwork has shown there are significant issues regarding encroachment and unauthorised use of Council bushland. Systems are being developed to improve overall land management to integrate bush fire protection with weed, stormwater and access control programs.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 151 Objective Outcomes
The scenic qualities and features of the landscape, the character and amenity of the locality and views and vistas are all a matter for consideration under Section 79C(1)(b) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and are considered during the assessment of a development application. In addition, the protection of existing trees and vegetation is considered under Clause 28 of Wyong Local Environmental Plan 1991 and Chapter 14-Tree Management. There will be a sense of community The draft Natural Resource Management Strategy has been prepared in line with ownership of the natural Commonwealth and State planning. The next step is to seek Council endorsement for environment through direct public exhibition and develop a community engagement strategy. involvement with environmental Fieldwork undertaken for the Natural Areas Bush Fire Management Program has program. highlighted significant concerns over the number and condition of fire trail in Wyong. The program has developed a priority list for upgrades, construction guidelines and other tools to improve management of fire trails and will help encourage greater public use for appreciation, recreation and education. The Landcare program facilitates active community participation in environmental projects with a focus on regeneration of natural areas. In addition, field days such as National Tree Day and other planting and weeding events attract the general public for short term participation in the program. The Coastal Zone Management Plan encourages participation in programs that increase community knowledge about coastal management issues, add value to the coastal zone and foster partnerships between individuals, community groups and with Council. The Natural Areas Bush Fire Management Program has undertaken targeted community engagement and this includes helping residents better understand how they can assist in suitably maintaining bushland reserves adjacent to their property. Work on The Entrance Coast to Lake Walk has commenced, with Council also planning a Mountains to Sea walk. Council is currently developing a Greening Wyong Strategy, which will guide and manage the ongoing tree planting within the Shire’s public places in a proactive and sustainable way. The strategy is intended for landowners, developers, general community members, and Council staff who are tree planting in public places, such as streets and parks. It is not a guide to tree planting in natural areas, such as wildlife corridors, bushlands and wetlands. There will be a strong sustainable The CZMP includes “Access, Recreation and Tourism Action Plan”. This Action Plan sets business sector and increased local out how Council will maintain and build on the important recreational and tourism values employment built on the Central of the coastline taking into account potential coastal recession associated with climate Coast’s business strenghts. change and sea level rise. The community will be well The Landcare program provides a lifelong learning experience for children, families and educated, innovative and creative. retirees. The Landcare program provides an avenue for people to gain and share new People will attain full knowledge knowledge in relation to local natural areas and their management. Training activities potential at all stages of life. and workshops are undertaken on a regular basis. 20 formal training activities were held through the Landcare program, attended by 179 people. A high level of information about The Coastal Knowledge Action Plan lists objectives to (O1) provide for efficient coastal the natural environment and management, based on access to best available science and information about community environmental change will be values and attitudes; (O7) enhance the awareness of residents, landholders and land users maintained and available. of coastal processes, climate change and impacts; (O8) develop efficient and effective strategies for minimising Council’s and the community’s exposure to risk in the coastal context; and (O11) establish a clear process for monitoring, review, reflection and adaptive management of the coastline.
taking 152 shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire Objective Outcomes Community knowledge of The Natural Areas Bush Fire Management Program has undertaken significant fieldwork sustainability and environmental improving the understanding of Council’s bushland estate as well as developing tools to issues impacting Wyong Shire will improve management at the interface and of fire trails. be comprehensive.
Residents will be active participants The community has been consulted throughout the process of developing the CZMP. A in setting the direction of their targeted community consultation program prior to and during the public exhibition period community. between June and August 2011 allowed community members to have their say about the Plan. The Plan is adaptive and under regular review. Residents will be encouraged to be involved in the plans implementation and development over the coming years.
Communities are safe and will have Wyong’s Coastal Emergency Response Management Plan and Emergency Action Sub Plans a clear perception of security. for Curtis Parade North Entrance, Hargraves Beach and Cabbage Tree Harbour describe proposed emergency response measures for areas threatened by coastal hazards and include Sub Plan’s which dictate a course of Action during an Emergency event. These plans have been developed with input from the community. Measures are in place to ensure that affected residents are fully aware of emergency response plans that affect them. The Natural Areas Bush Fire Management Program has had significant improvements to the process and improved grant funding sources identified for further bush fire protection. Stage 2 of the program will include further improvement to community engagement on a broader scale, as well as extending the targeted community engagement trialled so far. High quality, sustainable The Coastal Zone Management Plan implements a sustainable land-use planning frame development will be sympathetic work that aims to encourage sustainable and appropriate development in the coastal zone to the local setting and reflect in light of environmental issues that exist now and are predicted to worsen in the future community values. with predicted climate change and sea level rise. The land-use planning framework aims to restrict inappropriate development in areas affected by coastal hazards or recognised as having significant ecological value both now and into the future. All student and educational The recently installed CoastalCOMS Camera is a technical resource that provides scientific institutions will have access to high data about coastal processes which will be potentially valuable to local universities wishing quality services and technological to build knowledge and understanding in this field. resources.
creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire WYONG SHIRE COUNCIL SHAPING OUR ENVIRONMENT 153 Wyong Shire Council STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 2011/12
Wyong Shire Council PO Box 20 WYONG NSW 2259 T (02) 4350 5555 E [email protected] Draft version November 2012 taking creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire shape creating a caring, prosperous, sustainable Wyong Shire